Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Introduction: The blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a fruit that is widely consumed and is harvested from mid-June to late July. Blueberries have traditionally been recognised not only for their palatability but also as a source of medicinal raw materials in folk medicine. The use of blueberry ber...
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Kazimierz Wielki University
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/58369 |
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| author | Zanna Bialoszycka Monika Białoszycka Alisa Pachevska Valerij Istoshyn Alina Biloshytska |
| author_facet | Zanna Bialoszycka Monika Białoszycka Alisa Pachevska Valerij Istoshyn Alina Biloshytska |
| author_sort | Zanna Bialoszycka |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction: The blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a fruit that is widely consumed and is harvested from mid-June to late July. Blueberries have traditionally been recognised not only for their palatability but also as a source of medicinal raw materials in folk medicine. The use of blueberry berries and leaves as a therapeutic agent dates back to the 16th century, with applications in the treatment of various ailments, including diarrhoea, inflammation of the mouth and throat, poor circulation and vision disorders.
Material and Methods: The narrative review employed scientific and research articles that were devoted to the study of the biologically active substances present in blueberries, as well as the utilisation of berries and leaves from the plant in the treatment of a range of diseases, including cardiovascular, oncological, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Results and discussion: A review of the literature revealed that the biologically active substances present in blueberries and their leaves belong to the tannin-anthocyanin category of raw materials. Furthermore the plant contains a range of organic acids, vitamins and trace elements. Currently the extract derived from blueberry leaves represents a significant component of plant-based raw materials employed in the prevention and management of diverse ocular conditions, as well as in the prevention of gastric and duodenal cancers. Aqueous extracts of blueberries, whether derived from berries or leaves, have been demonstrated to possess pronounced immunostimulating properties due to the presence of polyphenols.
Conclusion: The assertion that a diet abundant in blueberries offers protection against the detrimental effects of the external environment is corroborated by multiple studies. The considerable number of antioxidant compounds present in this plant suggests a potential role in the prevention of a range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, inflammation, diabetes and cancer.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d68704b4b0d1436aac066a8da0a3e9ab |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2391-8306 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Kazimierz Wielki University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-d68704b4b0d1436aac066a8da0a3e9ab2025-08-20T02:17:34ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-04-018010.12775/JEHS.2025.80.58369Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus)Zanna Bialoszycka0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3136-7687Monika Białoszycka 1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9371-0398Alisa Pachevska 2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6041-3814Valerij Istoshyn 3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1857-3195Alina Biloshytska 4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2790-060XSt. Vincent de Paul Hospital, ul. Wójta Radtkego 1, 81-348 Gdynia, PolandSchool of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury Aleja Warszawska 30, 11-082 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Pediatric Stomatology of National Pirogov Memorial University st. Pirogova 56, 21018 Vinnytsya, UkraineDepartment of Biochemistry of National Pirogov Memorial University st. Pirogova 56, 21018 Vinnytsya, UkraineDepartment of Medical Biology of National Pirogov Memorial University st. Pirogova 56, 21018 Vinnytsya, Ukraine Introduction: The blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a fruit that is widely consumed and is harvested from mid-June to late July. Blueberries have traditionally been recognised not only for their palatability but also as a source of medicinal raw materials in folk medicine. The use of blueberry berries and leaves as a therapeutic agent dates back to the 16th century, with applications in the treatment of various ailments, including diarrhoea, inflammation of the mouth and throat, poor circulation and vision disorders. Material and Methods: The narrative review employed scientific and research articles that were devoted to the study of the biologically active substances present in blueberries, as well as the utilisation of berries and leaves from the plant in the treatment of a range of diseases, including cardiovascular, oncological, and neurodegenerative conditions. Results and discussion: A review of the literature revealed that the biologically active substances present in blueberries and their leaves belong to the tannin-anthocyanin category of raw materials. Furthermore the plant contains a range of organic acids, vitamins and trace elements. Currently the extract derived from blueberry leaves represents a significant component of plant-based raw materials employed in the prevention and management of diverse ocular conditions, as well as in the prevention of gastric and duodenal cancers. Aqueous extracts of blueberries, whether derived from berries or leaves, have been demonstrated to possess pronounced immunostimulating properties due to the presence of polyphenols. Conclusion: The assertion that a diet abundant in blueberries offers protection against the detrimental effects of the external environment is corroborated by multiple studies. The considerable number of antioxidant compounds present in this plant suggests a potential role in the prevention of a range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, inflammation, diabetes and cancer. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/58369blueberry berries and leavesanthocyaninspolyphenolsoxidative stress |
| spellingShingle | Zanna Bialoszycka Monika Białoszycka Alisa Pachevska Valerij Istoshyn Alina Biloshytska Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) Journal of Education, Health and Sport blueberry berries and leaves anthocyanins polyphenols oxidative stress |
| title | Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) |
| title_full | Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) |
| title_fullStr | Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) |
| title_short | Application of medicinal properties of blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) |
| title_sort | application of medicinal properties of blueberries vaccinium myrtillus |
| topic | blueberry berries and leaves anthocyanins polyphenols oxidative stress |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/58369 |
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