SUPERFRUITS : BLUEBERRY (vaccinium angustifolium) Return to the Superfruits list - Next >

Although blueberries are native to North America, they are now grown also in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries, and are air-shipped as fresh produce to markets around the world.

Beginning in 2005, blueberries have been discussed among a category of functional foods called superfruits having the favorable combination of nutrient richness, antioxidant. strength, emerging research evidence for health benefits and versatility for manufacturing popular consumer products Blueberries, especially wild species, contain anthocyanins, other antioxidant pigments and other phytochemicals which may have a role in reducing the risks of some diseases, including cancers.

Researchers have shown that blueberry anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and tannins inhibit mechanisms of cancer cell development in vitro.

At a 2007 symposium on berry health benefits reports showed consumption of blueberries (and similar fruits including cranberries) may alleviate the cognitive decline occurring in Alzheimer's Disease and other conditions of aging.

Research at Rutgers has also shown that blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections. Other animal studies found that blueberry consumption lowered cholesterol and total blood lipid levels, possibly affecting symptoms of heart disease. Most of these studies were conducted using highbush, hybrid cultivars of blueberries.

Content of polyphenol antioxidants and anthocyanins in wild blueberries (from Quebec as an example) exceeds the values found in highbush blueberries (U.S).

140 grams of fresh blueberries contain 3 g of fiber.