The name "blueberry" is a direct translation of the English word "blueberry," symbolizing the charm of this blue-hued berry. This small, brightly colored fruit is not only visually appealing but also renowned as a "health guardian," boasting numerous nutritional and health benefits.  Wild blueberry tablets belong to the Ericaceae family and Vaccinium genus, being the precious fruits of deciduous shrubs. Globally, they are beloved and hailed as the "King of Berries."

Blueberries are an ancient fruit with a 13,000-year history, and their usage can be traced back to the 16th century. Native to North America, blueberries originated in Indigenous cultures, where Native Americans already regarded them as a perfect combination of food and medicine. Although their global cultivation history spans just over a century, systematic breeding began in 1906, and today they are widely grown in international markets. In 1906, Coville took the lead in selecting wild blueberry varieties, and in 1937, he introduced 15 selected varieties for commercial cultivation. By the 1980s, the United States had successfully bred over 100 excellent blueberry varieties adapted to various climatic conditions, making blueberries one of the main fruit tree species cultivated in the country.

Wild blueberry tablets are widely adapted and grown in various countries. With their global introduction and cultivation, countries have carried out distinctive research and cultivation efforts based on local climatic characteristics and resource advantages. China, in particular, has developed a mature blueberry cultivation industry in multiple regions. China first introduced blueberries in the 1980s, going through stages of research, commercial cultivation, and industrial development. Today, China has formed five major production areas: Jilin and Heilongjiang, the Liaodong Peninsula, the Jiaodong Peninsula, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River centered on Zhejiang and Jiangsu, and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Among them, geographical indication products like "China Arctic Blueberries" have won wide market recognition for their excellent quality and unique taste.

Known as the "King of Fruits," blueberries are perennial deciduous or evergreen shrubs. Blueberry plants feature small green branches and leathery leaves, adding a delicate texture. The leaves are nearly leathery, oval to elliptical in shape, with a sharp tip and a cherry-shaped to nearly round base. The edges are serrated or entire, with a smooth, hairless dark green surface and a hairy back.

Blueberry inflorescences are racemes, growing on the previous year’s branches. Their corollas range in color from white to pink, are nearly cylindrical in shape, and emit a charming fragrance. The flowering period is mainly from June to July, and the fruiting period is from August to September. The flowers and fruits on blueberry trees complement each other, forming a touching scene. When ripe, the berries are spherical. Blueberries thrive in warm and humid environments, with acidic soil being optimal. They prefer a warm climate but can also tolerate relatively high temperatures, favoring partial sunlight and requiring moist soil for growth.

For convenience of consumption and preservation, modern technology can extract and produce powder from fresh blueberries. Blueberry extract powder is highly favored due to its rich nutritional content. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids, making them more nutritious than many other fruits. In addition to the organic acids, vitamins, and minerals found in ordinary fruits, blueberry fruits are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, trace elements (such as potassium, iron, and copper), vitamin K, and B vitamins. Thanks to their diverse nutrients, blueberries offer numerous beneficial effects on the human body, including protecting eyesight, antioxidant activity, enhancing immunity, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, improving memory, anti-inflammatory effects, promoting digestion, regulating blood sugar, and protecting the urinary system. Specifically:

Protecting Eyesight: The abundant anthocyanins in blueberries can promote the regeneration of rhodopsin in retinal cells, prevent severe myopia and retinal detachment, improve eyesight, and are particularly beneficial for people who use electronic devices for long periods.

Antioxidant Activity: A large number of antioxidants such as anthocyanins and vitamin C can effectively scavenge free radicals in the body, reduce oxidative damage to cells, delay the aging process, and keep the skin youthful.

Enhancing Immunity: The various vitamins, minerals, and bioactive substances contained in blueberries can stimulate the immune system, enhance the activity of immune cells, help the body resist pathogenic invasions, and reduce the risk of illness.

Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Blueberries help lower cholesterol, improve vascular endothelial function, reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, and protect heart health.

Improving Memory: Their nutrients can promote cerebral blood circulation, enhance signal transmission between nerve cells, and play a positive role in improving memory and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: They can reduce chronic inflammatory reactions in the body, alleviate discomfort caused by inflammation, such as symptoms of inflammatory diseases like arthritis.

Promoting Digestion: Rich dietary fiber can promote intestinal peristalsis, prevent constipation, and maintain normal intestinal digestive function.

Regulating Blood Sugar: Certain components in blueberries help regulate insulin secretion, stabilize blood sugar levels, making them suitable for diabetics to consume in moderation.

Protecting the Urinary System: They help prevent urinary tract infections and maintain urinary system health.

Precautions for Consuming Blueberry Products:

Avoid Excessive Consumption: Blueberries contain oxalates. Eating too many at once may cause oxalates to form crystals in the body, which could be harmful, such as increasing the risk of kidney stones. In addition, excessive consumption may burden the gastrointestinal tract, causing indigestion symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating. Blueberries should be consumed in moderation, avoiding large amounts at one time.

Diabetics Should Be Cautious: Blueberries contain a certain amount of sugar, which may cause abnormal fluctuations in blood sugar in diabetics, not good for blood sugar control. Diabetics should consult a doctor or dietitian before consuming blueberries, control intake, and avoid blood sugar spikes.

People with Diarrhea Should Be Cautious: Blueberries are rich in dietary fiber and fruit acids, which promote intestinal peristalsis and bowel movements. Consuming them may worsen diarrhea symptoms in people with diarrhea, even causing dehydration. People with diarrhea should avoid blueberries to prevent aggravating their condition.

Patients with Kidney Diseases Should Be Cautious: Blueberries contain a large amount of oxalic acid. Excessive consumption by kidney disease patients may lead to oxalic acid accumulation in the body, forming uric acid and increasing the risk of kidney stones. Kidney disease patients should consult a doctor or dietitian before consuming blueberries, control intake, and avoid worsening their condition.

Avoid Consumption with Calcium-Rich Foods: Oxalates in blueberries can affect the body’s absorption of calcium, so they should not be consumed simultaneously with high-calcium foods. Avoid eating blueberries with high-calcium foods like milk and tofu; instead, consume them at intervals.

Do Not Mix with Dairy Products: Vitamin C in blueberries may react with proteins in dairy products, potentially causing discomfort such as diarrhea and bloating. Avoid consuming blueberries with dairy products like milk and yogurt to reduce adverse reactions.

Do Not Mix with Cold-Natured Foods: Wild blueberry tablets are cold in nature. Consuming them with other cold-natured foods such as crabs and watermelons may exacerbate spleen and stomach deficiency, leading to symptoms like cold limbs, edema, and abdominal distension. Avoid consuming blueberries with cold-natured foods to protect spleen and stomach health.

With in-depth scientific research, blueberry extract has shown broad application prospects in multiple fields. In the pharmaceutical field, researchers are exploring its potential for preventing and assisting in the treatment of various chronic diseases. In the beauty industry,

blueberry extract has become a popular ingredient in anti-aging products, used to protect the skin from environmental pollution and ultraviolet damage. In the functional food sector, products rich in blueberry extract are increasingly favored by health-conscious consumers.

Reference:

1.Chinese Medical Journal (CMJ)

2.The Chinese Journal of Nutrition

3.Chinese Journal of Neurology

4.Research Advances on the Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins on Cognitive Function

5.Study on the Relationship between Bioactive Compounds in Berry Fruits and Brain Health