Stay Sharp -- Go Blueberry!

Blueberries are an incredibly delicious and nutritious fruit. Much research has highlighted their numerous health benefits, and now a collection of studies, published in The Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, point to their role in easing the effects of aging.

Blueberries are loaded with vitamins and minerals, but it’s the antioxidants they contain that make them such a nutritional powerhouse. They are thought to have one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable. The particular group of antioxidants in blueberries believed to be responsible for their beneficial health effects is called anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that is found naturally in foods that are red, purple and blue in color.

Blueberries have one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable.

In one study of about 200 older adults with an average age of 65, after an assessment of their ability to recall certain information, half of the participants were given a supplement containing an extract from grape and wild blueberry, while the other half was given a placebo for six months.

The people who took the supplement experienced improved brain function and memory compared to those who took the placebo. The results suggest an association between the antioxidant composition in blueberries and improved memory in older people who had performed poorly on the memory assessment but were otherwise healthy.

In a separate study using rats that were fed a blueberry powder, aged-related deficits in cognition were shown to be thwarted in those with normal abilities or reversed in those with decreased cognition.

The daily feeding of blueberry powder may have produced beneficial effects on anti-inflammatory factors that predict cognitive function, suggested the researchers. But what works in animal studies does not always translate to humans.

Eating about a cup of blueberries on a daily basis improved blood vessel function in another study of healthy adult males. Systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) decreased as well. The scientists attributed this finding to the anthocyanins found in blueberries, concluding that eating blueberries regularly contributes to healthy cardiovascular aging.

Previous research has found similar health benefits for blueberries which is why it’s often included on a list of “super foods.” If you’re not eating blueberries often, the research findings may cause you to stop and ask yourself, “Why not?”

Blueberries are available in the grocery store year-round in the frozen food section. When they are in season, bargains can be found in the produce department.

Blueberry farms are another place to stock up on this delicious berry. You can pick them yourself or buy them in quantity to take home and freeze. Blueberries last in the freezer at peak quality for a year, but as long as they are kept frozen, they will last indefinitely.

Here are some healthy ways to add blueberries to your diet:

Add them to hot or cold breakfast cereal, stir them in yogurt, or mash them and make a spread for your toast. Use them in pancake, waffle or muffin batter.

Use blueberries to make a smoothie, along with fruits like banana and other berries.

Make a peanut butter and blueberry sandwich for lunch.

Puree them and freeze in popsicle molds.

Add them to a salad. They mix well with many fruits and vegetables, as well as meats.

Add frozen blueberries to your lemonade or tea.

Eat them straight from the fridge or freezer as a snack.