Blueberries
Blueberries
Blueberries (/ˈbluːˌbɛri/) are perennial flowering plants with blue or purple berries. They are classified in the section Cyanococcus within the genus Vaccinium. Vaccinium also includes cranberries, bilberries, huckleberries and Madeira blueberries.
Etymology
The term "blueberry" comes from the Old English blǣberi, which is a compound of blǣ (blue) and beri (berry).
Description
Blueberries are usually prostrate shrubs that can vary in size from 10 centimeters (3.9 in) to 4 meters (13 ft) in height. In commercial production of blueberries, the species with small, pea-size berries growing on low-level bushes are known as "lowbush blueberries" (Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium pallidum), while the species with larger berries growing on taller cultivated bushes are known as "highbush blueberries" (Vaccinium corymbosum).
Nutritional Value
Blueberries are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and other nutrients. They are also high in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give them their blue color.
Related Terms
- Vaccinium: The genus of plants to which blueberries belong.
- Anthocyanins: The class of compounds that give blueberries their blue color and have antioxidant properties.
- Antioxidants: Compounds that help protect the body from damage by free radicals.
- Dietary fiber: A type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest, found in blueberries and other fruits and vegetables.
- Vitamin C: A vitamin found in blueberries and other fruits and vegetables that is important for growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body.
- Vitamin K: A vitamin found in blueberries and other foods that is needed for blood clotting and other functions.
- Manganese: A mineral found in blueberries and other foods that is needed for normal brain and nerve function.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blueberries
- Wikipedia's article - Blueberries
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