Blueberries are the fruits of a shrub that belong to the heath family, which includes the cranberry and bilberry. They grow in clusters and range in size from a small pea to a marble. Bluberries are deep in color, ranging from blue to purple-black, typically sweet taste when mature, with variable acidity. The skin is a semi-transparent flesh that encases tiny seeds.
Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients while being very low in calories, rating highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals.Packed with antioxidant called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to various diseases including cancer and heart disease. Anthocyanins, the blue-red pigments found in blueberries, enhance the effects of vitamin C, improve capillary integrity, and stabilize the collagen matrix (the ground substance of all body tissues).
Blueberries can also help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. In addition to soluble and insoluble fiber, blueberries can help relieve both diarrhea and constipation.They also contain tannins, which act as astringents in the digestive system to reduce inflammation. Likewise cranberries, blueberries contain the same compounds that help prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections. Components found in cranberries and blueberries reduce the ability of E. coli, the bacteria that is the most common cause of urinary tract infections.