Are blueberries especially healthy?
Q. I like a variety of fruit. But I hear that blueberries are especially healthy. What do you think?
A. Blueberries have been popular in North America ever since our earliest days. Their flavor and color have always made them appealing, and their healthy ingredients have added to their popularity.
Like other deeply colored fruits, blueberries are rich in anthocyanins and other natural pigments in the flavonoid family. The buzz about blueberries stems from the fact that these flavonoids are powerful antioxidants. According to one study, blueberries pack three times more antioxidant power than spinach or oranges.
Antioxidants may be driving the blueberry craze. But the fruit also scores well in terms of its traditional nutrients. A 100-gram (3-1/2-ounce) portion of fresh blueberries is low in calories (56), fat (0.4 grams) and sodium (6 milligrams). On the positive side, the same size portion of blueberries is a great source of vitamin C (13 mg), vitamin A (100 international units), and fiber (2.7 grams).
Scientists can tell us a lot about the chemical makeup of blueberries. But they can't say for sure if they're really any better for your health than other fruits and vegetables.
Image: © boonchai wedmakawand/Getty Images
About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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