Today, constipation is one of the most common problems among people. Based on statistical data, we can say with confidence that every third person faces this problem. It happens that constipation appears as an isolated case against the background of stressful situations or some unusual conditions for the body. Basically, constipation is a chronic pathology. In such cases, it will be very important to know and use information about the right foods, fruits and vegetables, which can be consumed and which are undesirable.
Compound
The calorie content of blueberries per 100 grams is 57 kcal. This amount of berries contains:
- 10% of the daily value of plant fibers;
- 24% vitamin K;
- 17% manganese;
- 16% vitamin C.
B vitamins, iron, potassium, and copper are present in small quantities.
However, the main medicinal properties of forest and garden blueberries are associated with the presence of antioxidants anthocyanins, which are part of the group of flavonoids.
Depending on the variety and growing conditions, the amount of anthocyanins in berries can vary from 48 to 304 mg per 100 grams.
Anthocyanins are the most numerous and famous healing molecules in this berry. But not the only ones. The chemical composition of blueberries includes bioactive components important for maintaining human health, such as flavopiridol, ellagic acid, anethole, and the antioxidant resveratrol, known as the “fountain of youth.”
The antioxidant activity of blueberries is high. And not only due to the fact that its bioactive substances independently destroy free radicals. These molecules also stimulate the expression of genes, the products of which also have antioxidant properties. This is genes:
- SOD – encodes the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which eliminates superoxide radicals that destroy cells;
- CAT - produces the enzyme catalase, which protects the body from oxidative stress associated with the formation of hydrogen peroxide.
For young mothers
It is no secret that a child at an early age suffers from bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. And to prevent these ailments, proven recipes will help you. From what we found out “fresh blueberries make you stronger or weaker,” you should correctly calculate the dose of berries for your baby.
Since in childhood the child’s stomach may not respond correctly to a large amount of blueberries, the mother should include fresh fruits in the diet in small doses; it is worth remembering that it is not advisable to give berries to children under 1 year of age, but there is a temptation to feed them. If a mother breastfeeds her child, then vitamins and nutrients will come along with the milk. But still, two or three berries will not cause any obvious harm, but if the child’s stool has recently been liquid, preventive measures will be observed.
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Beneficial features
Improved brain function
It has been established that berry anthocyanins can:
- cross the blood-brain barrier and move to the hippocampus region of the brain associated with learning and memory;
- inhibit several enzymes in the brain (JNKs, ASK1, etc.), preventing inflammatory damage to neurons;
- enhance brain function by stimulating the growth and development of neurons (through changes in synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis);
- improve memory (by increasing the plasticity of the hippocampus).
It is remarkable that the positive effect of blueberries on the brain has been proven both for older people who have already begun to experience age-related decline in memory and cognitive abilities, and for children who are just starting to learn and have problems with assimilation of material.
Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
- One explanation for why blueberries are beneficial for the human body is due to their ability to fight chronic inflammatory processes that develop in blood vessels and the heart muscle with age. Berry antioxidants suppress this inflammatory activity and prevent damage to the inner walls of blood vessels and the development of myocardial hypertrophy.
- The second beneficial effect of blueberries on the cardiovascular system is the increased production of nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes blood vessels and prevents hypertension.
- Berry flavonoids prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). It is in this form – oxidized LDL – that cholesterol is most dangerous for the heart and blood vessels.
Diabetes prevention
Some berry flavonoids (flavonols, flavones, flavanones, anthocyanins) increase insulin sensitivity. This is important for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, since it is the development of resistance (low sensitivity) to insulin that underlies this disease.
At the same time, blueberry anthocyanins not only increase cell sensitivity to insulin, but also stimulate the synthesis of this hormone.
Clinical studies of blueberry extract have shown its insulin-like properties and the ability to protect the body from the toxic effects of glucose. It was also found that the bioactive berry squeeze enhances the growth and regeneration of pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for the secretion of insulin.
Maintaining high bone density
Blueberries have beneficial properties that are especially important for postmenopausal women.
It strengthens bone tissue and prevents osteoporosis. The berry contains many vitamins and minerals that help maintain bone density. However, its impact on the prevention of osteoporosis is much deeper and stronger.
It has been shown that some berry antioxidants, in particular resveratrol, activate the Sirt1 gene, which is considered a gene for the prevention of early aging, including early loss of bone density.
Anti-cancer activity
Blueberries have multiple anti-cancer properties. The bioactive substances included in its composition can:
- if necessary, switch cells to apoptosis (self-destruction);
- suppress inflammatory processes;
- destroy free radicals;
- suppress the synthesis of the transcription factor NF-κB, which not only increases inflammation, but also promotes the degeneration of normal cells into cancer cells;
- suppress the accelerated growth of malignant tumor cells;
- inhibit protein biosynthesis in cancer cells, etc.
Detoxification
Today, people accumulate a lot of heavy metals in their bodies, which cause oxidative stress and damage cells. These are arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury.
The benefit of blueberries for the human body is that it can disinfect and chelate many heavy metals and facilitate their removal from the body. Particularly effective against cadmium.
Prevention of cystitis
Blueberries are similar in composition to cranberries.
And it also contains substances such as anti-adhesives, which prevent pathogenic bacteria from binding to the walls of the bladder. For cranberries, this healing effect has been clinically proven. It has not been studied in the case of blueberries. But experts believe that since the nature of the antiadhesins and their amount in the berries of these two types are almost the same, their therapeutic effects are also similar.
Preserving vision
Literally everyone knows that blueberries are good for vision. The antioxidants in the berry protect the eyes from the effects of free radicals and thus prevent the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Despite the wide popularity of this property of this fruit, it is not specific or very significant. Many fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants have a similar effect.
Plum strengthens or weakens
Plum is weak, and in large quantities it can cause diarrhea. Plum improves digestion, prevents constipation and protects the body from the harmful effects of free radicals. Warm prune juice can quickly relieve constipation. This is the best laxative during pregnancy.
Dried plums have five times more fiber, vitamin A and calories than fresh ones. Therefore, if you eat a couple of prunes every day and drink a glass of warm water, you can cope with constipation.
It is worth remembering that a large amount of plum eaten can cause bloating and diarrhea.
Effect on weight loss
Blueberries have many beneficial properties for weight loss. Namely:
- fights insulin resistance, which is one of the main reasons for gaining excess weight “literally out of thin air”;
- nourishes beneficial intestinal microflora, the correct species composition of which is important for sustainable weight loss;
- reduces the level of chronic inflammation in the body, which is always present in people with significant excess body weight;
- Due to the high content of plant fiber, it satisfies well and at the same time provides few calories.
Like many other berries, blueberries are among the fruits with low fructose content. This is very important for normalizing weight, since this sugar is rapidly deposited in the human body in the form of fat deposits, and causes the most dangerous type of obesity - visceral (internal).
Therefore, it is important for those who want to lose weight to know not how many calories are in blueberries or any fruit, but how much fructose they contain. There is not much in blueberries - only 3.6 grams per 100 grams of fresh berries. This means that people who need to lose weight can benefit from eating 400 grams of fresh berries. Those who have normal body weight - 700 grams.
Peanut
The female half of humanity loves peanuts very much for their low calorie content and incredible taste. In addition, nuts in moderation help cope with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, you need to be as careful as possible, because peanuts in large quantities can cause an allergic reaction.
Peanuts contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential oils, magnesium, potassium and coarse fibers, which speed up the digestive process and restore normal stool. To treat constipation, it is recommended to eat no more than 100 g of peanuts per day.
How to store for the winter?
In fact, there is only one way to store blueberries for the winter while preserving all their beneficial properties. This is freezing.
You can freeze them like all other berries - in one row on trays, and then pour them into bags.
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Or you can make puree and freeze it in molds.
But adding sugar is strictly forbidden. But it is this method that most people who prepare blueberry preserves, jams, and compotes prefer to use. Or they simply grind the berries with sugar and then freeze them. And they think that they have saved themselves some useful vitamins for the winter.
Nothing like this!
Once you combine blueberries with sugar, you've eliminated all of their benefits. And the point here is not only that most of these recipes require long-term heat treatment of the berry, which destroys its medicinal components. It's the sugar itself. You don't have to heat the berries. Just grind it with sugar. It will not become more useful than in jam. Because sugar itself has such a strong negative effect on the human body that neither blueberries nor any other natural product can cover up this harmful effect with their beneficial effects.
Walnut Recipes
To prevent the above diseases, the product can be consumed in everyday nutrition. It will be a good addition to salads, retaining all the beneficial properties without exposure to high temperatures. The following are recipes for products made from various parts of the plant, used in folk medicine.
Ingredients:
- dry crushed nut leaves - 2 tsp;
- water – 200 g.
A useful infusion is prepared in the following sequence:
- Pour boiling water over the leaves.
- Cover with a lid and leave for 1 hour.
- Strain the infusion. Take 100 ml 3 times a day before meals.
Contraindications and side effects
For the vast majority of people, blueberries are safe if eaten in adequate quantities as a food and not as a medicine.
There can be an allergy to the berry, which usually manifests itself in the form of urticaria, asthma, atopic dermatitis and rhinitis. The berry contains quite a lot of benzoates. They are what cause allergies.
The main contraindications and side effects are associated either with the consumption of berries in excessively large volumes, or in the form of dietary supplements.
So, for type 2 diabetes, blueberries can be both beneficial and harmful. The berry has an insulin-like effect and lowers blood sugar levels. This can be dangerous for diabetics who are taking medications that lower their glucose levels. There is a risk of developing hypoglycemia.
The berry slightly thins the blood as it reduces the expression of the SERPINE1 gene, which encodes a protein that is involved in the formation of a blood clot. With massive consumption of blueberries, this can become dangerous for those who suffer from hemophilia, take anticoagulants, or are preparing for surgery.
Does it increase or decrease blood pressure?
One of the healing effects of blueberries is due to the fact that it lowers blood pressure, as it promotes the production of nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes blood vessels. This effect is extremely beneficial for people suffering from hypertension, especially when the disease is in its early stages.
However, in hypotensive patients, consumption of the berry in excessively large quantities, as well as various extracts from it, can lead to a drop in blood pressure.
Is it weakening or strengthening?
Blueberries both weaken and strengthen.
This is such an unusual berry. In small quantities in dried form, it fixes. Just 3-5 dried berries can even stop diarrhea. The effect is due to the presence of tannins, the same compounds found in persimmons that explain their ability to cause constipation.
But in a fresh state, and even consumed in large quantities, blueberries weaken. Since it contains a lot of plant fiber, including insoluble fiber.
Walnut in medicine
In folk medicine, not only the kernels, but also other parts of the plant are often used.
The most widespread are decoctions and infusions of leaves and pericarp, which are used:
- for kidney and bladder diseases, tonsillitis, diseases of the oral cavity, gynecological and gastric diseases;
- to improve metabolism, with exhaustion and vitamin deficiency;
- with atherosclerosis;
- as a hemostatic agent;
- for wound healing.
Walnut oil is used to treat inflammation of the middle ear, as a drug against internal parasites, and as part of the complex therapy of conjunctivitis. An infusion from the internal partitions of the shell is used as an anti-inflammatory agent.
The laxative properties of nut oil are known. Eating the nut itself can also have a mild laxative effect (for example, for constipation), since the oil content in the kernels is very high. The presence of plant cells also has an additional stimulating effect on intestinal motility.
In some cases, nuts can cause diarrhea.
- The following factors may be the reason:
- eating excessive amounts of product;
- food allergies or intolerance to certain substances;
- chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
- weakening of the body after illness;
- kernels spoiled or infected through unwashed shells.
Important! Diarrhea, as well as various skin rashes and nausea, can be caused by poisoning with pesticides and chemicals that are sometimes used in the industrial treatment of shell surfaces.
It is not recommended to eat nuts if you have diarrhea. In such cases, traditional healers advise using an infusion of crushed leaves or an alcohol tincture from the internal partitions. Syrup made from young fruits is also popular, which, after consultation with a pediatrician, can be given to children.
Harm of dates
Dates are harmful if you eat too many of them (more than 7-10 per day). Excess consumption can cause the following health problems:
- obesity and weight gain due to the high calorie content of dates;
- digestive disorders;
- deterioration of diabetes mellitus, elevated blood glucose levels;
- headache;
- insomnia when consumed immediately before bedtime.
Dates are very good for teeth due to their phosphorus, calcium and fluoride content. However, “desert candy” is rich in sugars that can disrupt the acid balance and provoke tooth decay. Therefore, after a sweet snack, you need to rinse your mouth with water.
To avoid harm from food, you need to control your diet and not eat large amounts of carbohydrates.
