Blueberry

Blueberries (Vaccinium) are a genus of angiosperms from the Pyrene family (Ericaceae). It includes about 450 species of shrubs, distributed mainly in the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

There are 4 species of Bilberry (Vaccinium) in Bulgaria - Red (vitis-idaea), Black (myrtillus), Blue (uliginosum) and Caucasian (arctostaphylos)

– The cranberry has red berries, overwintering hard leaves with a folded edge, and the other 3 species have dark blue fruits, falling soft leaves with an unfolded edge.

– The Caucasian blueberry in Bulgaria is a shrub up to 3 meters high (in the Caucasus it reaches a small tree) and is found only in Strandzha, and the other 3 species are bushes up to 40 cm high and are found in all our high mountains.

– The Caucasian bilberry grows lowest, between 150 and 300 m above sea level, the Red – above 700, the Black – most often above 1,000, and the Blue – highest – above 1,700.

– The red and blue bilberries have entire leaves, and the leaves of the black and Caucasian bilberries have a jagged edge.

– The knot on the top of the Blackberry fruit has the appearance of a moon crater, and on the Blueberry it is shaped like an indented cross.

- Only the leaves of the blueberry are blue and inverted-egg-shaped, and the fruits have a dove-blue coating.

– Only the leaves of the Cranberry have points on the underside, and are incised back-to-one on the top.

– Only the fruit juice of the Blackberry turns purple.

- The blueberry has the finest taste, the taste of the black one is very close behind it, and the fruit of the red one is not so juicy and is far behind in terms of taste. But due to the fact that the Cranberry ripens later, when the fruits of the Blue and Black are no longer available, it is widely used as an invigorating food by tourists.

 

Here are some of the benefits of blueberries:

1. They improve eyesight
   The high content of vitamin A is one of the many health benefits that blueberries possess. It is especially useful for eyesight. It is a well-known fact that with its help, vision loss in old age is prevented.
2. They improve the work of the heart
   The color of blueberries is due to anthocyanins, a flavonoid that prevents plaque build-up and improves cardiovascular health
   
3. They improve memory
   Blueberries literally are “храна за мозъка”. Studies show that they can be extremely beneficial for maintaining brain function and memory. A study conducted at the University of Cincinnati showed that older people who took blueberry juice performed better on memory tests than those who took a placebo.
   
4. They help with weight loss
   Blueberries are great when it comes to weight loss. Research shows that if you include a lot of blueberries in your diet, you will significantly reduce belly fat. In addition, the fruit contains carbohydrates, which we know help you feel fuller for longer.
5. They strengthen immunity
   Blueberries also contain high levels of vitamin C, which has a number of benefits, including keeping your immune system healthy. In fact, one serving of blueberries contains approximately 25% of the daily requirement of vitamin C.