Nature's Cure All - The Blueberry

Ever notice that all the good tasting stuff is usally bad for you?

Surprisingly there is one treat that's not only low in calorie but chock full of antioxidants and vitamins. Yup it's the simple blueberry. This staple of summer is the perfect snack for anyone watching their weight plus it full of the necessary nutrients we all need.

Blueberries are native only to North America but have been grown for commerical use in Australia, New Zealand and South America. The best time for them is between May and September.The Latin name is vaccinium because English settlers, in particular the explorer James Cook ,first saw cows (Latin vacca) eat them. Blueberries also go by the names bilberries, whortleberries and hertleberries. They were used by the indigenous peoples for medicinal as well as for dying cloth. The berries were also combined with meat to provide a jerky.American have been loving them for centuries and it's the official state berry of Maine It was there in 1822 a blueberry rake was invented by Abijah Tabbutt.

Health wise blueberries are the greatest snack ever. They're low in calories ( only 81 a cupful) and are perfect for when you're craving some kind of sweet treat. Always have a little cup of them on your desk when you're working or even have a small bowl of them on the TV table. Not only that but they're super packed with antioxidant phytonutrients. These help protect against cancer and heart disease. Blueberries also lower the risk of glaucoma, peptic ulcers and, yes, even hemorrhoids. They're are good for your vision ,deterring macular degeneration because the fruits' bioflavenoids strengthen the rods in the eyes along with helping the eyes adjust to darkness and glare. During World War II British RAF night flyers always consumed bilberries before their missions . This gave them more acuity during their raids.


It shouldn't be to hard to get your family to eat blueberries on a daily basis. They have a lingering, pleasant aftertaste and they are just fun to pop into your mouth. However you can vary with how you eat them. Add them to salads for something different. There's nothing like blueberry pancakes or muffins to start off a Sunday brunch.They're also good served with sliced strawberries and bananas on top of French toast. Serve piled on top of vanilla ice cream or just plain Cool Whip for a low cal but yummy dessert.


Now is the season to head to your local farm for a quart of these amazing berries. Not only are they delicious snack but a great way to improve your health Start popping them now.