Blueberry, scientifically named Vaccinium, belongs to the family Ericaceae. Blueberries are considered ‘superfruit’ due to the abundant polyphenolic compound, which might show antioxidant capacity, and is sometimes exploited for its health beneficial properties .
Blueberry has different common names based on their species, namely high bush, low bush, rabbiteye and European bilberry. The low bush blueberry species (Vaccinium angustifolum) are Properties of Blueberry:
The beneficial properties of blueberry are:
It may act as an antioxidant
It may have anti-cancer activity
It may have body weight maintaining ability
It may have a blood sugar-lowering effect
It may have a cholesterol-lowering effect
It may have a blood pressure maintaining activity
It may have antibacterial activity
It may have anti-inflammatory action
It may benefit liver health
It may have immunity enhancing effect
It may benefit brain health
It may benefit lung health.1
Also Read: Beetroot: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Potential Uses of Blueberry:
Potential Uses of blueberry for blood sugar
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanin, which may have antioxidant activity. It might be beneficial in reducing the oxidative stress and might play a crucial role in blood sugar management- An increase in blood sugar levels are characterised by a poor response to insulin stimulation. The anthocyanin-rich blueberry might decrease glucose intolerance.
In a cross-sectional study involving women conducted by Jennings et al. 2014, showed that higher consumption of blueberries results in improvements in insulin resistance. Thus, it may be beneficial for managing blood sugar levels in humans.
However, this study is insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for more studies to develop the positive effect of blueberries on blood sugar management.
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Potential Uses of blueberry for cancer
Blueberry might be helpful in reducing the spread and enhancing the death of cancer cells. It might also minimise chances of cancer development and the risk of recurrence of cancer. But the actual mechanism is unknown. A laboratory study (Minker C et al. 2015) showed that lowbush type blueberry is composed of proanthocyanidins (antioxidant) which may have the ability to kill cancer cells in human colon cancer cell lines; thus, it might be an essential anti-cancer agent for colon cancer.1
According to an animal model study by Lin W et al., 2017, blueberry consumption might decrease tumour size and inhibit ovarian cancer cells by regulating levels of some enzymes.1
This information is insufficient as these studies are done in laboratories and not on humans. Therefore, more studies on humans are required to back this claim. Consequently, we advise you to speak to your concerned doctors and only have blueberries as a medicine.
Potential Uses of blueberry for weight management
In an animal model study by Lee et al. 2014, intake of blueberry leaf extract showed a reduction of 20% in body weight. However, blueberry extract might be considered for managing weight. . The freeze-dried blueberry powder may be useful in managing overweight-related long-term issues.1 A human study conducted by Bertoia et al. 2015-16revealed that blueberry intake resulted in less weight gain during ageing.2
This information is insufficient. Further, more studies are needed to support the potential use of blueberries for human weight loss management. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical advice from a doctor before consuming blueberries to keep a check on your weight.
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Potential Uses of blueberry for brain health
Blueberry has an antioxidant activity which might help to reduce oxidative stress caused due to free reactive oxygen species in the brain. The daily consumption of blueberry juice might be beneficial for degenerative diseases. It might benefit in proper blood flow to the brain in healthy older adults. It might also enhance memory and delay the degeneration of the brain cells.1
US cohort studies on humans conducted by Gao et al. 2012, showed a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease upon intake of blueberry. Cognitive (thinking, reasoning and remembering) performance in the other adults and the elderly were observed to have improved after intake of blueberry powder.2
However, we require more studies to support the beneficial effect of blueberries on maintaining brain health. This information is insufficient and it is necessary to take a doctor’s advice before using blueberries.
Potential Uses of blueberry for the eyes:
Blueberries may enhance vision. Therefore, the consumption of blueberries may have some effect to recover visual sharpness. Anthocyanins in blueberry might contribute to eye health and reduce retinal (retina is a part of the eye) diseases. Blueberry might shield the retina from light-induced injury.1
This information is insufficient. Therefore, further research is needed to say that blueberries might benefit eye health.
Potential Uses of blueberry for heart health
Blueberry may have shielding effects against coronary heart disease. It may also be used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure), thus it may be beneficial for providing defence against cardiovascular (related to the heart and blood vessels) diseases.
This information is not sufficient. We require more studies on humans to back this claim. Of course, you can always consult a qualified doctor before using blueberries to self-medicate.mostlysing blueberries to self-medicate.mostly edible.
Also Read: Beetroot: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!
Potential Uses of Blueberry:
Potential Uses of blueberry for blood sugar
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanin, which may have antioxidant activity. It might be beneficial in reducing the oxidative stress and might play a crucial role in blood sugar management- An increase in blood sugar levels are characterised by a poor response to insulin stimulation. The anthocyanin-rich blueberry might decrease glucose intolerance.
In a cross-sectional study involving women conducted by Jennings et al. 2014, showed that higher consumption of blueberries results in improvements in insulin resistance. Thus, it may be beneficial for managing blood sugar levels in humans.
However, this study is insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for more studies to develop the positive effect of blueberries on blood sugar management.
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Potential Uses of blueberry for cancer
Blueberry might be helpful in reducing the spread and enhancing the death of cancer cells. It might also minimise chances of cancer development and the risk of recurrence of cancer. But the actual mechanism is unknown. A laboratory study (Minker C et al. 2015) showed that lowbush type blueberry is composed of proanthocyanidins (antioxidant) which may have the ability to kill cancer cells in human colon cancer cell lines; thus, it might be an essential anti-cancer agent for colon cancer.1
According to an animal model study by Lin W et al., 2017, blueberry consumption might decrease tumour size and inhibit ovarian cancer cells by regulating levels of some enzymes.1
This information is insufficient as these studies are done in laboratories and not on humans. Therefore, more studies on humans are required to back this claim. Consequently, we advise you to speak to your concerned doctors and only have blueberries as a medicine.
Potential Uses of blueberry for weight management
In an animal model study by Lee et al. 2014, intake of blueberry leaf extract showed a reduction of 20% in body weight. However, blueberry extract might be considered for managing weight. . The freeze-dried blueberry powder may be useful in managing overweight-related long-term issues.1 A human study conducted by Bertoia et al. 2015-16revealed that blueberry intake resulted in less weight gain during ageing.2
This information is insufficient. Further, more studies are needed to support the potential use of blueberries for human weight loss management. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical advice from a doctor before consuming blueberries to keep a check on your weight.
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Potential Uses of blueberry for brain health
Blueberry has an antioxidant activity which might help to reduce oxidative stress caused due to free reactive oxygen species in the brain. The daily consumption of blueberry juice might be beneficial for degenerative diseases. It might benefit in proper blood flow to the brain in healthy older adults. It might also enhance memory and delay the degeneration of the brain cells.1
US cohort studies on humans conducted by Gao et al. 2012, showed a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease upon intake of blueberry. Cognitive (thinking, reasoning and remembering) performance in the other adults and the elderly were observed to have improved after intake of blueberry powder.
However, we require more studies to support the beneficial effect of blueberries on maintaining brain health. This information is insufficient and it is necessary to take a doctor’s advice before using blueberries.
Potential Uses of blueberry for the eyes:
Blueberries may enhance vision. Therefore, the consumption of blueberries may have some effect to recover visual sharpness. Anthocyanins in blueberry might contribute to eye health and reduce retinal (retina is a part of the eye) diseases. Blueberry might shield the retina from light-induced injury.
This information is insufficient. Therefore, further research is needed to say that blueberries might benefit eye health.
Potential Uses of blueberry for heart health
Blueberry may have shielding effects against coronary heart disease. It may also be used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure), thus it may be beneficial for providing defence against cardiovascular (related to the heart and blood vessels) diseases.
This information is not sufficient. We require more studies on humans to back this claim. Of course, you can always consult a qualified doctor before using blueberries to self-medicate.
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