Blueberries are very nutritious, with a 1 cup serving providing you with 4 g of fiber, 1 g of protein and 30 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, as well as small amounts of a number of other essential nutrients. Blueberries may also be beneficial in preventing or treating a number of health conditions, including varicose veins.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are twisted and enlarged veins, usually occurring in your feet or legs since more pressure gets applied to these veins when you spend a lot of time standing. Although these veins are often just a cosmetic concern, in some cases they can be painful or lead to complications, such as blood clots or ulcers. Varicose veins occur more often in women than men, and affect up to 60 percent of people in the U.S., according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Blueberries and Varicose Veins
Blueberries may help to limit the formation of unwanted blood vessels, which can cause varicose veins, according to a study published in 2003 in "Biokhimiya." This may be due to the high content of antioxidants called bioflavonoids in blueberries, as another study, published in "Alternative Medicine Review" in April 2001, found that bioflavonoids may be helpful in treating varicose veins. The vitamin C in blueberries may also contribute to their potential beneficial effect on varicose veins.
Varicose Vein Treatment
Wearing compression stockings can help your varicose veins, along with elevating your legs, not spending a lot of time standing, not wearing tight clothes and exercising. More severe cases of varicose veins may require injections or surgery to remove the affected veins. Alternative therapies that may help include rutin, bilberry, horse chestnut, butcher's broom and gotu kola.
Considerations
Although blueberries are generally healthy, some people should not consume large amounts, as blueberries can affect blood sugar levels. Don't self-treat your varicose veins with blueberries, or rely on blueberries instead of the treatment prescribed by your doctor. The evidence for the use of blueberries for treating varicose veins is still preliminary.
References
- NutrientFacts: Blueberries, Raw
- MayoClinic.com; Varicose Veins; January 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Varicose Veins
- MedlinePlus: Blueberry
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Hemorrhoids and Varicose Veins: A Review of Treatment Options; D. MacKay; April 2001
- "Biokhimiya"; Review: Anti-angiogenic, Antioxidant, and Anti-carcinogenic Properties of a Novel Anthocyanin-Rich Berry Extract Formula; D. Bagchi, et al.; 2003
