We all know blueberries are known to be rich in antioxidants and full of vitamins, and a research has found they could help to boost a child’s brainpower, too.
Researchers from Reading University found that wild blueberry juice helped to improve memory and concentration in primary school-age children primarily due to the concentration of anthocyanins – brain-boosting organic compunds – in the fruit. During the research professor Claire Williams conducted a series of cognitive tests on 21 boys and girls on three different occasions – after drinking sugary water, after a medium strength blueberry drink, and then again after a high strength drink. She found that when they drank the fruit drinks (that contained the equivalent of a cup and a half of wild blueberries), they performed better on tests that involved recalling words and tasks that required them to ignore distractions.
Besides, they can help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) for they contain antioxidant proanthocyanidins. The chemical compounds that help reduce the impact of bacteria that cause UTIs, making blueberries a great fruit choice for your toddler. They contain Vitamin C that helps the body to heal wounds, absorb iron from foods and fight infections, plus it contributes to healthy gums, teeth and bones. It also has antioxidant properties, and has been shown to reduce the risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, oesophagus and pancreas). Vitamin K – needed for blood to clot properly – is also present in blueberries.
Blueberry Recipes for Kids
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
Crumbs
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest of one lemon
1 cup (8 ounces or 225 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
1 large egg
Berries
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
4 cups fresh blueberries
Procedure
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.
- In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. (This took an extra 10 to 15 minutes in my oven.) Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Ingredients
180g tub full-fat cream cheese
390g condensed milk
600ml double cream
1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
75g dried blueberries
100g digestive biscuits, roughly crushed, plus extra for topping
Procedure
Simply mix the cream cheese, condensed milk, cream and vanilla paste and whisk together until well combined, and softly aerated. Fold through the blueberries and biscuits. Decant into a Tupperware tub with airtight lid and freeze overnight, or for at least six hours.
After storing in the freezer, remember to leave the ice cream out at room temperature for a good 20 minutes before serving.
Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 cup self-raising flour, sifted
1 tsp cinnamon
1+1/4 cups buttermilk
1 Select Egg
1 cup frozen blueberries
spray oil
strawberries, blueberries and maple syrup, to serve
Procedure
Combine sugar, bicarbonate of soda, flour and cinnamon in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg together. Stir into flour mixture then fold in the blueberries.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Spray with oil. Pour 2 tablespoonfuls of batter into pan. Cook for 2 minutes or until bubbles form on surface. Turn. Cook a further 1 to 2 minutes or until cooked through. Repeat with remaining mixture. Serve with berries and maple syrup. Serves 4
Fresh tip: Your child can help with the mixing and stirring and adding the fruit – if he’s more involved in the preparation he’s more likely to eat it!
This adds on to one more reason to include blueberries to your diet.
