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Blueberries contain fiber, folate, vitamin C, magnesium, and several other essential nutrients.

Blueberries are one of the tiniest fruits, but don’t let their small size fool you.

This summer berry is full of antioxidants and vitamins, and is the perfect choice for a healthy snack or making a dish come alive. Here’s what you need to know about blueberries, as well as a few recipes you can experiment with this week.

What Are Blueberries, and Where Does the Fruit Come From?

Blueberries are eaten widely in the United States today, but they don’t have a long history as a cultivated fruit.

As a crop their history dates only 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. The first crops were harvested in 1916, igniting the blueberry boom and our love for this tiny fruit. (1)

Blueberries are plump, sweet, and juicy, with a color that ranges from indigo to deep purple.

While the cultivated variety of the fruit originated in New Jersey, it’s currently grown in 38 states commercially, and in other parts of the world (Canada, British Columbia, and South America). (1)

What’s in Blueberries? A Look at the Fruit’s Nutrition Facts

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 1 cup of blueberries — about 148 grams (g) —  has about 84 calories. (2)

Other nutritional facts for blueberries:

  • 3.6 g dietary fiber, or 14.4 percent of your daily value (DV)
  • 9 milligrams (mg) calcium, 0.9 percent DV
  • 9 mg magnesium, 2.25 percent DV
  • 114 mg potassium, 2.42 percent DV
  • 14.4 mg vitamin C, 24 percent DV
  • 9 micrograms (mcg) folate, 2.25 percent DV
  • 80 international units (IU) vitamin A, 1.6 percent DV
  • 0.84 mg vitamin E, 4.2 percent DV
  • 28.6 mcg of vitamin K, 35.8 percent DV

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What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Blueberries?

The sweet, succulent taste of blueberries make it a desirable fruit, but this isn’t the only reason to pick up a bunch on your next grocery run.

Blueberries boast a number of health benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate guidelines. Here’s a look at what research suggests blueberries are good for.

May Help Boost Brain Function

Anthocyanins are natural colorants that give fruits and vegetables a red, purple, or blue color. This colorant is also found in blueberries and has been linked with improved memory and cognitive function. (3)

According to one study, blueberry supplements may help improve memory in elderly people. (3) Similarly, another small study on wild blueberry powder found this version of the fruit may help boost problem-solving and memory in children, resulting in higher test scores. (4)

Can Help Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease

Compounds in blueberries known as polyphenols have strong antioxidant properties. One study found that blueberry polyphenols may help protect against heart disease and reduce high blood pressure, thus offering protection against heart attack and stroke. (5,6)

Blueberries also contain flavonoids, a group of natural substances that may help improve glucose metabolism in people with diabetes. Flavonoids may also help improve insulin sensitivity in people who are obese and have insulin resistance, thus reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (7)

Helps You Maintain Healthy, Strong Bones

Eating blueberries may also protect your bones and joints. Blueberries are a source of manganese, which plays a role in healthy bone development. In addition, the vitamin C in blueberries can improve collagen. (8,9)

Could 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 cancer — stopping cells from becoming malignant and slowing the growth of cancerous cells. (10)

May Help Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are painful. Symptoms of UTIs often include blood in the urine, burning urination, and lower abdominal pain. Blueberries may inhibit the growth of the bacteria that causes urinary tract infectionsE. coli. (11)

If you have a history of recurrent UTIs, eating blueberries on a regular basis may help prevent future infections.

Has the Potential to Improve Your Mood

Eating blueberries may also provide a dose of happiness and help relieve symptoms of depression.

If You’re on a Diet, Can Blueberries Help With Weight Loss?

Following a weight loss diet involves restricting what you eat, which usually means eating little to no sugar. Unfortunately, dieting may also trigger stronger sugar cravings.

Blueberries are a healthy choice when you want something sweet but don’t want to sabotage your weight-loss efforts. A cup contains only about 80 calories — plus, blueberries are full of fiber. This fact can help you feel full longer and potentially eat less. (2)

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 also have smooth skin and a deep color, either a deep purplish-blue or blue to black. (14)

Sometimes, you may stumble upon blueberries that are reddish 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. MORE ON PICKING SAFE, QUALITY PRODUCE

It’s always important to wash your blueberries just before eating, and keep them refrigerated after purchase to ensure freshness. As with other produce, blueberries don’t last long. So eat them within 10 days of purchase. (14)

There’s also the option of buying frozen blueberries, which come in handy if you’re looking to add blueberries to smoothies or yogurt. Make sure it’s a high-quality bag of frozen blueberries.

Feel the bag before purchasing to ensure the blueberries are loose and not frozen into a lump, which can be difficult to separate when preparing frozen drinks like smoothies. If you choose to thaw a bag of frozen blueberries, store unfrozen berries in the refrigerator and use within three days. (14)

What’s the Best Way to Eat Blueberries? Here’s Some Recipe Inspiration

Blueberries can add variety to many dishes and desserts. Eat blueberries raw, or toss a few in fat-free or low-fat yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal.

Blueberries are also perfect for smoothies or shakes. Combine the fruit in a blender with other fruits, such as bananas, kiwis, strawberries, or pineapple. Or prepare a baked dish with blueberries, such as cakes, muffins, or pancakes.