Were blueberries also an inseparable part of your childhood holidays? You should enjoy these gentle blue fruits with pleasure even today. A fragrant crumb cake cannot do without them, and skilled housewives preserve them into divine jam or compote. From a health benefits perspective, they are, of course, best fresh, on their own or perhaps in white yogurt. They do not lose their effectiveness even when frozen, so you can blend them into healthy homemade ice cream or store them for the off-season period.
A Delicacy That Protects Vision
Due to their high content of many beneficial substances for the body, blueberries are classified as so-called superfoods. Their season is from June to September, and we distinguish two basic types. In the forest, we can come across so-called wild blueberries growing on the bushes of the bilberry plant, while on farms or in orchards, Canadian blueberry bushes are usually cultivated. With a little care, you can plant them in your garden too! In summer, you will ensure a regular supply of B vitamins, vitamins A, C, E, and K, and minerals such as manganese, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Blueberries also contain carotene, pterostilbene, tannins, organic acids, and anthocyanins that improve vision. Thanks to the regenerative abilities of these substances on the retina, our eyes tire more slowly under strain. They also prevent the onset of night blindness. Blueberries are also rich in fiber and a large amount of water.
Universal Medicine and Prevention
What specific ailments can they help you with? Nowadays, everyone surely appreciates a boost to the immune system. As we have already mentioned, they have a positive effect on vision. They also help lower cholesterol, have a good influence on blood vessels and the heart, and are recommended for atherosclerosis. They are an effective prevention against myocardial infarction and act preventively against stroke. They help with varicose veins, have anti-inflammatory effects, and fight free radicals thanks to their antioxidant content. They slow down aging and regenerate our entire body. They relieve colds, fever, and flu, have a positive effect on digestive problems, and have antibacterial effects. Last but not least, they lower blood sugar levels, making blueberries a very effective medicine for diabetics, who are recommended to drink them in the form of tea made from the plant’s leaves.
Are you craving blueberry treats? As part of the Journey to the Plate project, Aramark is collaborating with local farmers from whom it sources seasonal foods. One of them is Blueberry Farm. Come to the restaurant for a refreshing fruit salad, blueberry desserts, or fragrant blueberry dumplings just like grandma’s! We look forward to seeing you.
