This small wild fruit that delights pickers at the end of summer contains a pulp bursting with juice, sweet and sour and slightly astringent. The blueberries make children smile when they color their tongue and their little teeth purple. A dark hue that makes all the strength of these low-energy, low-sugar berries…
Bilberry stimulates night vision
Bilberry and some of its cousins (blackberry, grape, prune, wild cherry, bilberry…) are traditionally used to stimulate visual acuity. Moreover, during the Second World War, British pilots were ordered to improve their night vision by consuming blueberry jam! “Current knowledge confirms this use. The flavonoids (antioxidants) of the blueberry strengthen the blood network of the retina, which helps to slow down macular degeneration”, explains the specialist in plant extracts Nicolas Oger in his book “20 super fruits for your well-being” (ed. Châtelet press). For better protection of the retina, antioxidant vitamins are a good complement to blueberry. In order to reinforce its action, it can be consumed with kiwi (for vitamin C), apricots or carrots (for beta-carotene), and nuts (for vitamin E).
Bilberry fights against cellular aging
In addition to its flavonoids which fight against the oxidation of our cells, the blueberry contains a high rate of anthocyanins, bioactive substances which have the ability to repel the free radicals responsible for cell aging. In addition, these components manage to neutralize the reactive oxygen molecules that come into play in the metabolic syndrome, causing various disorders of glucidic, lipidic or vascular origin, which, associated with excess weight, can generate diabetes and cardio- vascular.
It’s a slimming superfruit
In the kitchen, the blueberry has serious flavor advantages and good dietary qualities to promote. It is above all a low-calorie fruit but it is also low in sugar, quite rich in water and fiber. Hence the interest of regularly inviting it to the table, fresh or frozen, without adding sugar when watching your figure or looking for ideas for light recipes as part of a diet.
How to take advantage of its health benefits?
- The right amount. Swallow between 2 and 4 teaspoons of organic dried blueberries every day. This corresponds to 100 to 200 g of fresh or frozen fruit or 30 to 60 ml of pure juice.
- In “treatment” for sight. Count 500 ml of pure juice, 500 g of fresh fruit or 6 to 8 teaspoons of dried fruit per day. Do one or the other of these cures for 1 to 2 months.
- To fully benefit from its antioxidant potential, it is not recommended to consume it in dairy products, milk proteins decreasing the effectiveness of this free radical scavenger. So prefer soy, almond, hemp or rice milk.
Read also:
- Blueberries against cognitive decline
- Antioxidant aperitif with blueberries