What is health benefits of Bilberry?

billberry

Actinium myrtillus or bilberry, is a member of the blueberry family, and it is known for producing sweet blue colored berries.  The bilberry bush is found in North America and Europe, and it grows best in damp, acidic soils.  The blue to black bilberries are used for many medicinal purposes, while the leaves have additional healing properties.

Bilberry and vision

One of the most significant properties of the bilberry is its ability to enhance night vision.  From at least as far back as the sixteenth century, the bilberry was mixed with honey in order to create a syrup known as rob.  This syrup was traditionally used to treat diarrhea, but today the fruits of the bilberry bush are being used to promote good vision, particularly night vision.  In World War II, those pilots who ate large quantities of bilberries claimed to enjoy more accurate night vision, and many scientific studies have shown that bilberry is able to slow down the degeneration of sight, and may even improve visual acuity.  In addition, bilberry has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of indigestion and diabetes, among other conditions.

Bilberry and nutrition

The bilberry contains large numbers of phytochemicals, which are thought to help lower blood pressure, inhibit the formation of clots and enhance the supply of blood to the nervous system.  Some studies have shown that the antioxidants found in the fruit of the bilberry bush are up to fifty times as powerful as vitamin E and ten times as powerful as vitamin C.

Bilberry also seems to show great effectiveness at reducing vascular insufficiency and other related conditions.  Bilberry seems to work in much the same way as ginkgo biloba and horse chestnut, and the circulatory effects it produces are thought to be quite effective at increasing circulation and the health of the eyes and organs.

What to look for

Bilberry is available in a wide variety of sources, including fresh bilberry and a number of extract and capsule forms.  When shopping for bilberry, either the fresh or the supplement variety, it is important to buy only the highest quality products.

That is because how the fruit of the bilberry tree is harvested can make a lot of difference in its effectiveness as a health food.  It is important for the bilberry to be harvested at the peak of ripeness, and it is just as important that it be processed into supplements and capsules in facilities that use the best manufacturing equipment.  Problems can be caused by contaminated manufacturing equipment, and buying bilberry from the most highly respected sources is the best way to ensure you get all the important benefits of the bilberry bush in your daily diet.

The bilberry, like the blueberry and other related berries, is among the best and highest quality foods on the market.  Whether you buy your bilberry fresh at the supermarket or health food stores, or opt for the stability and ease of bilberry supplements, it is important to incorporate this valuable food into a healthy diet, for the health of your eyes, circulatory system and nervous system.

Everyone knows that strawberries are delicious as well as nutritious, and strawberries, both fresh and frozen varieties, should be a part of every person’s daily diet. There are many health benfits to eating strawberries, and strawberries are among the most delicious of all fruits.

The USDA now recommends that every American eat at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, but the fact is that most people end up falling far short of this important goal. Adding fresh strawberries to your diet, whether in salads, in shakes or on their own, is a great way to get the servings of fruit you need for a healthy body and a healthy immune system.

The Nutritional Value Of Strawberries

Strawberries are well known for the many nutrients they contain, including significant amounts of vitamin C. In addition, strawberries and other berries contain significant levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants. The same chemicals that give strawberries their bright red color are thought to be responsible for their strong antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants in the diet are important, since antioxidants are able to reduce the damage done by free radicals. Free radicals are elements that can damage the cells of the body, and they are thought to play a role in the formation of many kinds of cancer. It is easy to see, therefore, why foods rich in antioxidant vitamins, like strawberries, are such an important part of a healthy diet.

In addition to significant amounts of vitamin C, strawberries also provide an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, as well as being a good source of folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.

The Many Uses Of The Strawberry

Strawberries are among the most versatile of all fresh fruits, but unfortunately they are quite perishable as well. For this reason, fresh strawberries should be purchased only a few days before they are to be eaten. When strawberries are in season locally this is seldom a problem. At other times of the year, however, it may be necessary to make due with canned or frozen strawberries.

When choosing fresh strawberries it is important to choose those berries which are plump firm and free of mold, and that have a deep red color. Unlike other fruits, strawberries do not continue to ripen after they are picked, so it is important to choose the ripest, reddest strawberries, as they will provide the best taste and the highest nutrient density.

Many people find that medium sized strawberries are sweeter and more flavorful than larger ones. When buying strawberries that have been prepackaged, it is important to be sure that the berries have not been packed too tightly, as this could cause them to be crushed or otherwise damaged.

It is of course important to handle strawberries properly, and to store them well after they have been purchased. Strawberries, like all fruit, should be washed thoroughly prior to eating or storage. Any strawberries that show signs of mold should be removed at once, as they could contaminate the remaining strawberries. The strawberries as healthy foods should be placed in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap and kept in the refrigerator. Fresh strawberries will keep in the refrigerator for a few days.