BLUEBERRY

In Spanish, the blueberry is known as arándano, mirtillo, muérdano, anavia and ráspano. It is native to North America, but it can also be found in parts of Asia and Europe. In Colombia they are grown at 7,200 and 11,000 feet above sea level, in localities like Boyacá and Cundinamarca. Did you know that in Greco-Roman times blueberries were used for artistic purposes? Virgil, Plinius and Vitruvius used blueberries to make paint. Mixed with milk they would get the color purple; and to achieve the color blue they would mix the berries with alum. There are around 250 different species of blueberries; all edible and identifiable by the time of year the bushes bear fruit. Blueberries contain high quantities of Quercetin, a bioflavonoid known for reducing the risk of prostate, colon and breast cancer. Some people believe that one of its health benefits is it helps improve our night vision. Diabetics eat this fruit because it regulates their blood sugar levels and because it contains substances similar to insulin.