by Shannon Farlouis

Created on: June 19, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Blueberries are very nutritional and they are in season here in the United States from May to September. Blueberries are flowering plants and the berries are dark blue, purple, and black. Blueberries are grown in many parts of the United States. Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, and my mother even has a blueberry tree in her backyard and she lives in Louisiana. In the northern states Michigan, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, and Maine. In other parts of the world blueberries are grown in Canada, Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Blueberries have many great uses and are very nutritional containing vitamin K, manganese, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6, pantothentic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, protein, and carbohydrates. Blueberries play a part of reducing risks associated with heart disease, blood pressure, stroke, urinary tract infections, Alzheimer's disease, and inflammation. Native Americans were known to use parts of the plant for medicine. A tea was made from the leaves and this was thought to be good for the blood. The juice was used to treat coughs and colds. Also the juice was used for dying cloth. Today blueberries can be eaten fresh, canned, or frozen and even dried. They are a real treat and can be eaten with cereal, baked in cakes, pies, topped on ice cream, and blueberry cobbler is delicious. Blueberries are used for jelly, jam, sauces, and fruit salad. Try some blueberry muffins or pancakes. New research is available on the health and nutrition of blueberries and may me viewed at the USHBC.

Blueberries are round, have smooth skin, and are juicy and sweet. They can last in the fridge for up to five days. The blueberry is in the same family as the cranberry. In one cup of fresh blueberries there are 80 calories, no fat, and no cholesterol. Blueberries are high in antioxidants which are known to help the metabolism, and help fight against cell damaging effects. Blueberries are at the top of the health chart and they also support healthy blood sugar levels and healthy heart function.

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