Health and care topics

Blueberries 101: Nutrition, Health Benefits, Recipes, and More What Are Blueberries, and Where Does the Fruit Come From? Blueberries are plump, sweet, and juicy, with a color that ranges from indigo to deep purple. Wild blueberries are considered indigenous to North America, where they have existed for more than 13,000 years.right up arrow Blueberries are available across the United States today, but they don’t have a long history as a cultivated fruit. As a crop, they date to the dawn of the 20th century, when the daughter of a New Jersey farmer teamed up with a botanist to cultivate and breed blueberries. They harvested the first blueberries in 1916, and over the next 50 years, Americans experienced a “blueberry boom.”right up arrow While the cultivated variety of the fruit originated in New Jersey, it’s currently grown across North America, which produces approximately 1 billion pounds of blueberries each year.right up arrow Today, blueberries are also cultivated in parts of South America, including Argentina, Chile, and Peru.right up arrowWhat’s in Blueberries? A Look at the Fruit’s Nutrition Facts According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 148 grams (g) of blueberries — or about 1 cup — has about 84 calories; 1 cup of blueberries also offers:right up arrow Total fat, 0.5 g Protein, 1.1 g Carbohydrates, 21.5 g Dietary fiber, 3.6 g Sugars, 14.7 g Calcium, 8.88 milligrams (mg) Iron, 0.41 mg Vitamin C, 14.4 mgWhat Are the Potential Health Benefits of Blueberries? Blueberries are sweet and succulent, but that’s not the only reason to pick up a bunch on your next grocery run. Blueberries are an excellent source of the antioxidants called polyphenols, which are substances that help inhibit the oxidative stress and free radicals that cause cell damage. Flavonoids are one type of polyphenol offered by blueberries. Much of the research on the health benefits of blueberries has focused on anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that’s responsible for blueberries’ distinctive color.right up arrow Thanks to these antioxidants, regularly consuming blueberries may boast a number of health benefits, research suggests. Help Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease One review found that the antioxidants in blueberries may help prevent numerous chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and degenerative diseases. Anthocyanins may be particularly helpful in reducing the risk of high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.right up arrow Help Boost Brain Function The flavonoids in blueberries may help improve memory and cognitive function. According to a study, older adults who consumed high amounts of flavonoids in a 20-year period were up to 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.right up arrow Similarly, a small study on wild blueberry powder found that this form of the fruit may help boost problem-solving and memory in children, resulting in higher test scores.right up arrow Play a Role in Lowering Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Blueberries’ anthocyanin content may help improve insulin sensitivity in people who are obese and have insulin resistance, thus reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, although more research is needed.right up arrow Additionally, anthocyanins may contribute to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes by helping to lower inflammation and body weight, two known risk factors for diabetes development.right up arrow Help You Maintain Healthy, Strong Bones Eating blueberries may protect your bones and joints. Blueberries are a source of manganese, which plays a role in healthy bone development. Research suggests that eating blueberries could reduce the risk for low bone density (osteopenia), due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory impacts.right up arrow Play a Part in Helping Prevent Some Cancers The antioxidant effect of blueberries can reduce inflammation throughout your body and may inhibit the growth of some types of cancers — stopping cells from becoming malignant and slowing the growth of cancerous cells. Currently, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) notes that blueberries show some promise in preventing colorectal cancer, thanks to their high fiber content. The AICR adds that blueberries and other nonstarchy fruits and veggies may decrease the risk of aerodigestive cancers (like mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophageal, lung, stomach, and colorectal cancers).right up arrowHave the Potential to Improve Your Mood Some evidence suggests that eating blueberries may help relieve symptoms of depression. In small studies, researchers found that a flavonoid-rich blueberry drink helped improve mood and potentially decrease the risk of depression in children and young adults.right up arrow Plus, one animal study suggests that a blueberry-rich diet may improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.right up arrow But more research in humans using whole blueberries is needed to confirm these effects. Can Blueberries Help With Weight Loss? Blueberries are a healthy choice when you want to snack on something sweet but don’t want to sabotage your weight-loss efforts. A cup contains only about 84 calories — plus, blueberries are full of fiber.right up arrow High-fiber foods leave you feeling fuller for longer than low-fiber foods do, so you’re likely to eat less.right up arrow Fiber-rich foods may also lower the risk of overweight and obesity.right up arrow And while blueberries alone won’t necessarily cause weight loss, people who have a regularly high anthocyanin intake may have less body fat overall.right up arrow How to Select and Store Blueberries for the Freshest Quality Fresh blueberries can be purchased year-round. For the best flavor, however, it’s important to pick a quality batch. When grocery shopping, look specifically for blueberries that are firm and dry. A quality blueberry will have smooth skin and a deep color, either a deep purplish blue or blue to black.right up arrow Sometimes, you may stumble upon blueberries that are reddish or greenish in color. These blueberries are not ripe and don’t contain as much flavor as ripened berries. Carefully examine a batch of blueberries before purchase. Don’t purchase berries that are shriveled, soft, or moldy. It’s always important to wash your blueberries just before eating, and keep them refrigerated after purchase to ensure freshness. Blueberries last 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator, but if you want to extend their shelf life, you can freeze them or dry them.right up arrow Other Uses for Blueberries: How to Use the Fruit in Your Beauty Routine Blueberries don’t only benefit the inside of your body. They can also benefit the outside. Because this powerful antioxidant fruit contains vitamins C and E, it can be used for skin care. Vitamin C may possibly help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin moisture, and offer some protection against UV rays.right up arrow Vitamin E may also help protect against UV rays and can promote wound healing and reduce inflammation.right up arrow Collectively, these functions could help increase skin elasticity, balance moisture levels, decrease blemishes, and even out your skin tone. Several skin-care products on the market contain blueberry extract, such as Paula’s Choice Oil-Free Moisturizer with Vitamin B3 and Blueberry ($29.00, paulaschoice.com) or Innisfree Rebalancing Cleanser with Blueberry ($7, us.innisfree.com). But you can easily make your own blueberry facial mask with simple ingredients. Try blending ½ cup of blueberries with 1 tablespoon each of organic honey and olive oil. Apply the mask to your face and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Remove with warm water.right up arrow Are There Any Health Risks Involved With Eating Blueberries? Given the healthy nature of blueberries, it might be hard to imagine this fruit posing any health risks. But blueberries aren’t the right choice for everyone. You should talk to your doctor if you take blood-thinning medication. Blueberries contain vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting. Eating too many all at once may reduce the effectiveness of these medications.right up arrow Also, avoid blueberries if you’re allergic to salicylate, a chemical that is found in the berries.right up arrow Up to 70 percent of people with pollen allergies also have oral allergy syndrome (OAS), which is caused by a cross-reaction between pollen and certain nuts, vegetables, and fruits (including blueberries). Raw blueberries can trigger OAS, which can cause symptoms such as itching, burning, and tingling around your mouth. If you experience negative reactions after eating blueberries, consider seeing your allergist or immunologist for testing.right up arrow

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