Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? Well, you do now! And so it’s a good time to talk about this tiny fruit and its many health benefits.
“Blueberries are a rich source of antioxidants, actually one of the largest sources of antioxidants when it comes to fruit,” said Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic. “They contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which give blueberries that blue hue.”
Antioxidants help protect the body from cell damage and disease, which is why fruits like blueberries are so beneficial. Because of their high amount of antioxidants, they may help prevent damage caused by cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
Americans enjoy blueberries year-round, fresh or frozen, in muffins, pancakes or smoothies, and in cereals. In fact, the U.S. per capita consumption has more than tripled since the mid-2000s, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture market reports.
What’s the best way to eat them?
Zumpano said you could eat them on their own or add them to something else, like a salad, muffins or pancakes. You also don’t need to buy fresh blueberries. Frozen berries can be a great option and even save you money. Big bags of frozen blueberries are sold at Costco.
“I always have a frozen bag of blueberries in my freezer,” said Zumpano. “They defrost well, you can microwave them for a couple of minutes and throw them into oatmeal, yogurt, or a smoothie. There are so many versatile ways you can use them, so it’s a matter of just getting them on your routine grocery list.”
Zumpano said while blueberries offer a lot of benefits, it’s worth checking out other berries too, like blackberries and raspberries.
And here’s a little more about blueberries: They’re native to North America and are grown commercially in 38 states. Most commercial wild blueberries are grown in Maine.
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