Blueberries, a Healthy Snack

A great source of antioxidants, so good they have consistently ranked as one of the top five dietary sources.

Antioxidants are good for you because they neutralize free-radical cells, which may prevent them from turning into something bad like heart disease or cancer.

Blue berries provide us with more than just antioxidants. They are also a source of fiber, and fiber is very important in a healthy diet. 1 cup of berries contains nearly four grams, and almost one-fifth of your daily servings of vitamin C and E. Your skin also benefits from the nourishment blueberries provide. During the cooking process, the cells in the walls of the blueberries break down releasing a pigment called anthocyanins. It turns the skin a shade of magenta. Researchers are currently studying it to see if it has any health benefits.

Blueberries are among a small variety of foods that contain measurable amounts of oxalates, naturally occurring substances found in plants, animals, and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in ones body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems. Because of this, individuals with already existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating blueberries.

Today there is more then thirty species of blueberries grown commercially. Their flavors rang from sweet to tart to tangy. The fruits come from off a shrub that belongs to the heath family, which includes cranberries and bilberries.

The Blueberry canning industry established itself in the northeast by the 1880's. Now almost ninety percent of the blueberries on the market are grown in North America, One quarter of them coming from the state of Maine. The wild varieties of blueberries thrive in glacial soil and cool northern climates as in Maine, Oregon, and Washington. Wild berries are found in parts of Canada as well. They often end up canned or frozen.

Blueberries season runs May through mid-August. However, you may find fresh ones from local growers around the country until October. It really depends on where you live. If you must have them when they are not in season, frozen and dried blueberries can be bought and enjoyed all through out the year. If you are a gardener, try to grow some yourself. The blueberry shrub requires highly acidic soil conditions for best results; this makes them not easily grown indoors. And, if you are not where they grow wild finding soil with the right acidity naturally in near impossible. Therefore, if you want to grow blueberries you must make extra effort to acidify the soil before planting. Do not expect fresh homegrown blueberries right away, the plants do not produce fruits until the third year, and do not become fully productive for about six years.

They are delicious and easy to incorporate into any meal, from breakfast to dinner. Try a homemade blueberry sauce (made with frozen berries) on French toast or pancakes instead of syrup. It is easy to make and healthier than syrup.

1-cup sugar, 1-cup water, as much whole frozen blueberries as you want (at least 1cup), 1 cap full of lemon extract

Thaw berries in either microwave or let sit.

Heat water and sugar in saucepan until sugar in dissolved. Add blueberries and lemon extract. If sauce is to runny, put arrowroot or a little flour in it to thicken. You do not have to fallow this exactly, play with the recipe to find the way you like it best.