Blueberry

Blueberries are native only to North America and they are known all over the world for their great taste and color. The shrub’s height varies depending on the species (from 10 cm to 4 m tall). The berries are small, spherical with an indigo color when ripening. There are at least 15 species of blueberries all over the world and the most famous are New Jersey, Chatsworth and Maryland. Regions like Ontario, Quebec, Maine (which produces more than 25% of the blueberries in North America) and British Columbia are known for their special wild blueberries jam.  

They are also celebrities in the homeopath treatments of several diseases. Anthocyanins, tannins, flavonols and other antioxidants are known to reduce cancer risk and prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other ageing problems.

The fruits are also given to feed animals as the research has proven that blueberry consumption lowers the cholesterol and the symptoms of heart diseases and urinary tract infections. It is necessary to mention that low bush species contain larger amounts of benefic substances than high bush species. 

Just a cup of 150 grams of blueberries provides more than 30% of the Dietary Reference Intake of vitamin C, 20% for magnesium and 16% for dietary fiber. Due to their nutritious content and antioxidant strength, blueberries have been called since 2005 “Superfruits” for their role in health research evidence and versatility in manufacturing popular consumer products.