Blueberries are an amazing food, nature's own pharmaceutical capable of providing a wide array of health benefits. While it has not been proven that all the health benefits associated with blueberries are equally present when the blueberries are consumed in tea, it's safe to assume tea made from real blueberries, not just artificial flavoring, will provide some of the same nutritional value as the fruit itself does. Tea itself is a healthy drink--combine the two together and you create a nutritional dynamic duo.
Nature's powerhouse for delivering antioxidants
Blueberries provide significantly more antioxidants than other fruits, including raspberries, strawberries and cranberries. Antioxidants are believed to be a powerful tool our bodies use to fight aging and diseases such as cancer. They block and neutralize the free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules present in the human body that contribute to the formation of cancer cells and other diseases. People can take supplements to provide antioxidants, but many scientists believe that food provides a superior source of this valuable nutrient.
Antioxidants have been improved brain function, lowered risk of heart disease and stroke, urinary tract health, and improved vision.
Benefits of tea
Tea itself provides antioxidants, as well as the blueberries infused in blueberry tea. A recent study has shown that people who drink three or more cups of tea a day have a lower risk of stroke than people who don't drink tea at all. The study was presented Feb. 19 at the American Heart Association's annual International Stroke Conference in San Diego, Calif. Other studies suggest a strong link between drinking tea and a lower rate of cancers, including colon, oral, stomach, pancreatic, bladder and skin cancers.
Difference between tea and tisane
Tea is actually only made by processing the leaves or buds of a specific plant, the tea bush Camellia Sinensis. Herbal teas are not truly tea, but tisane, a drink made by infusing the stems, leaves or fruit from any other plant. Some herbal drinks contain both tea and another plant, such as blueberries.
Other health benefits of blueberries
It would be difficult to exaggerate the health benefits of blueberries. In addition to the many benefits associated with their high antioxidant content, blueberries are packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and dietary fiber, and they contain smaller but significant amounts of many necessary vitamins and minerals.
Drink to your health
Crazy for Tea (crazyfortea.com) offers this blueberry tea recipe, courtesy of Southern Living.
This recipe will make a 5-cup pitcher of iced tea.
2 cups of frozen blueberries
1/2 cup of lemon juice
4 cups of water
4 tsp. loose tea of your choice or teabags
3/4 cup of sugar (or try 3/4 cup Splenda!)
Ice
Bring the blueberries and lemon juice to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Gently boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Strain your blend through a fine strainer to remove the solids and extract the blueberry and lemon juice. Discard the pulp.
Bring water to a boil and let sugar dissolve. Let water cool a little depending on the type of tea you are brewing. Brew your tea as you normally would. Do not oversteep.
Mix the warm tea and blueberry lemon juice in a tall iced tea pitcher and refrigerate. Serve over ice in tall glasses with a sprig of mint or lemon to garnish.
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