Blueberries… the miracle fruit!
BLUEBERRIES
Consider how amazing the blueberry is. It is a miracle fruit in the category of ‘super-foods.’ The blueberry is ranked as having one of the highest antioxidant capacities among all fruits, vegetables, spices and seasonings. Women love them because they are low in calories, high in fiber and also vitamins C and K. Blueberries help to enhance digestion, are a great ‘first-food’ for babies, aid with varicose veins and prevent urinary tract infections (UTI’s).
BLUEBERRIES FOR BABIES
I suggest that my clients wait to offer any solid food to babies before 9 months or do so when the baby has between 4-8 teeth. When it is time to offer solid food to your baby blueberries are high on my list!
The fruit is portable, delicious, healthy, and it doesn’t have the allergenic concerns associated with other berries. They are obviously best eaten when they are picked fresh in the summer, but since they are frozen immediately after they are picked, blueberries will retain their vitamins and nutrients after they are frozen. They make a great treat in the winter as well.
Moms love blueberries because it is easy to puree them, fresh or frozen, in a blender jar. Just add water until the desired consistency is reached. You can also add them to smoothies. Blueberries are also terrific all on their own. They make a great finger food for older babies. Be mindful that they can pose a choking hazard so it is probably a good idea to cut any large berries in half before feeding.
VARICOSE VEINS: BLUEBERRIES IN–BIG UGLY BLUE VEINS OUT
Herbalist Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH (AHG) raves about using blueberries with her clients who suffer with varicose veins. I have found this also to be true for my clients. They feel less pain, less swelling and less inflammation after 6 months of ingesting 1 cup of the berries each day. I also love the Herbalist David Winston’s new product called Blueberry Solid Extract. It can be spread on toast, added to oatmeal or simply eaten by the spoonful all year round.
Why blueberries for veins? Varicosities (big bad blue veins) can only form if there’s weakness in blood-vessel walls, or if there’s significant pressure within the vein to overwhelm healthy vessels. By strengthening the vessel walls, which are made of a complex network of collagen, proteins, and smooth muscle, one decreases the likelihood they will dilate or distend. The goal is to build up the structural matrix and to shrink existing varicose veins. Why are blueberries so helpful with veins? Because, blueberries boost blood flow and are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C enhances anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids, which ultimately improve vein elasticity and increase blood flow in the legs. Blueberries also have anthocyanins which are antioxidants used to help strengthen the vessel integrity and thus reducing varicose veins.
Click here for information on how to cure Urinary Tract Infections using Blueberries >>
Learn how Wild Blueberries combat diseases and promote healthy aging >>
Products I recommend so you can enjoy blueberries all year long:
David Winston’s Blueberry Solid Extract (BBS)