Healthy Blueberries

Blueberries are nature's powerful little fruit. Sweet and delicious, blueberries are packed with many nutritional benefits. Blueberries are low in calories, virtually fat free and a good source of fiber. Even better, recent studies have shown that blueberries rank #1 in disease- fighting antioxidants when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Berries in the News: Click here for recent health findings.

Blueberry Health Benefits: From research labs all across the country and the world, there is growing evidence that blueberries could be a weapon against diseases.

Antioxidants: Researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) have found that blueberries rank #1 in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful by-products of metabolism called "free radicals" that can lead to cancer and other age related diseases. Anthocyanin -- the pigment that makes the blueberries blue -- is thought to be responsible for this major health benefit..

Anti-Aging: In another USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) lab, neuroscientists discovered that feeding blueberries to laboratory rats slowed age-related loss in their mental capacity, a finding that has important implications for humans. Again, the high antioxidant activity of blueberries probably played a role.

Disease Prevention: Blueberries may reduce the build up of so called "bad" cholesterol that contributes to cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to scientists at the University of California at Davis. Antioxidants are believed to be the active component.

Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections: Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey have identified a compound in blueberries that promotes urinary tract health and reduces the risk of infection. It appears to work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the walls of the urinary tract.

Blueberries and Eyesight: A number of studies in Europe have documented the relationship between blueberries and improved eyesight. This is thought to occur because of the anthocyanin in the blue pigment. One study in Japan documented that blueberries helped ease eye fatigue.