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May 21, 2022 · Blueberries contain antioxidants called flavonoids that are largely responsible for the brain health benefits seen in research. A June 2021 systematic review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that the compounds in berries are linked to reduced cognitive decline and improvements in memory.
Jul 26, 2024 · When your blood vessels are relaxed and not constricted, it allows for more blood flow to your brain. This helps you think better. The antioxidants in blueberries play a role in this as well.
- 1. Blueberries are low in calories but high in nutrients
- 2. Blueberries are one of the top antioxidant foods
- 3. Blueberries reduce DNA damage, which may help protect against aging and cancer
- 4. Blueberries protect cholesterol in your blood from becoming damaged
- 5. Blueberries may lower blood pressure
- 6. Blueberries may help prevent heart disease
- 7. Blueberries can help maintain brain function and improve memory
- 8. Anthocyanins in blueberries may have anti-diabetes effects
- 9. May help fight urinary tract infections
- 10. Blueberries may reduce muscle damage after strenuous exercise
The blueberry bush (Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus) is a flowering shrub that produces berries with a bluish, purple hue — also known as blueberries (1).
It is closely related to similar shrubs, such as those that produce cranberries and huckleberries.
Blueberries are small — around 0.2–0.6 inches (5–16 millimeters) in diameter — and feature a flared crown at the end.
They are green in color when they first appear, then deepen to purple and blue as they ripen.
The two most common types are (2):
•Highbush blueberries: The most common cultivated variety in the US.
Antioxidants protect your body from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to aging and diseases, such as cancer (4, 5).
Blueberries are believed to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables (6, 7, 8).
The main antioxidant compounds in blueberries belong to a family of polyphenol antioxidants called flavonoids.
One group of flavonoids in particular — anthocyanins — is thought to be responsible for much of these berries’ beneficial health effects (9).
Blueberries have been shown to directly increase antioxidant levels in your body (10, 11).
Summary
Oxidative DNA damage is an unavoidable part of everyday life. It is said to occur in every cell in your body, every day (12).
DNA damage is part of the reason we grow older. It also plays an important role in the development of diseases like cancer (13).
Because blueberries are high in antioxidants, they can neutralize some of the free radicals that damage your DNA.
In one study, 168 people drank 34 ounces (1 liter) of a mixed blueberry and apple juice daily. After four weeks, oxidative DNA damage due to free radicals was reduced by 20% (14).
These findings agree with smaller studies that use either fresh or powdered blueberries (15, 16).
Summary
Oxidative damage is not limited to your cells and DNA.
It is also problematic when your “bad” LDL cholesterol is oxidized.
In fact, oxidation of “bad” LDL cholesterol is a crucial step in the heart disease process (17).
The antioxidants in blueberries are strongly linked to reduced levels of oxidized LDL. This makes blueberries very good for your heart (18).
A daily 2-ounce (50-gram) serving of freeze-dried blueberries lowered LDL oxidation by 28% over 8 weeks in people with obesity (19).
Another study determined that eating 2.5 ounces (75 grams) of blueberries with a main meal significantly reduced the oxidation of “bad” LDL cholesterol (20).
Blueberries appear to have significant benefits for people with high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
In an 8-week study, people with obesity who had had a high risk of heart disease noted a 4%–6% reduction in blood pressure after consuming 2 ounces (50 grams) of freeze-dried blueberries per day (21).
Other studies have observed similar effects — especially for postmenopausal women (22, 23).
Summary
While eating blueberries may lower blood pressure and oxidized LDL cholesterol, it’s important to keep in mind that these are risk factors — not actual diseases.
It would be much more informative to know whether blueberries help prevent hard endpoints like heart attacks, which are the world’s leading cause of death (24).
A study in 93,600 nurses found that those with the highest intake of anthocyanins — the main antioxidants in blueberries — were at a 32% lower risk of heart attacks compared to those with the lowest intake (25).
Because this was an observational study, it cannot prove that the anthocyanins alone caused the reduction in risk.
More studies are needed before any claims can be made.
Summary
Oxidative stress can accelerate your brain’s aging process, negatively affecting brain function.
According to animal studies, the antioxidants in blueberries may affect areas of your brain that are essential for intelligence (26, 27).
They appear to benefit aging neurons, leading to improvements in cell signaling.
Human studies have also yielded promising results.
In one of these studies, nine older adults with mild cognitive impairment consumed blueberry juice every day. After 12 weeks, they experienced improvements in several markers of brain function (28).
A 6-year study in over 16,000 older individuals found that blueberries and strawberries were linked to delays in mental aging by up to 2.5 years (29).
Blueberries provide moderate amounts of sugar compared to other fruits.
One cup (148 grams) holds 15 grams of sugar, which is equivalent to a small apple or medium-sized orange (3, 30, 31).
However, the bioactive compounds in blueberries appear to outweigh any negative impact of the sugar when it comes to managing blood sugar.
Research suggests that anthocyanins in blueberries have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. These anti-diabetes effects have been observed with both fresh and freeze-dried berries (32, 33, 34).
In a study in 32 obese people with insulin resistance, two blueberry smoothies daily caused major improvements in insulin sensitivity (35).
Improved insulin sensitivity may lower the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, which are associated with a range of negative health outcomes (36).
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common problem for people assigned female at birth.
It is widely believed that cranberry juice can help prevent these types of infections (37).
Because blueberries are closely related to cranberries, they boast many of the same active substances as cranberry juice (38).
These substances are called anti-adhesives and help prevent bacteria like E. coli from binding to the wall of your bladder (39).
While blueberry extract shows some promise for anti-adhesive effects, no studies have evaluated the impact of blueberries on UTIs, so it’s probably better to stick with cranberries for this purpose.
Summary
Strenuous exercise can lead to muscle soreness and fatigue.
This is driven partly by local inflammation and oxidative stress in your muscle tissue (40).
Blueberry supplements may lessen the damage that occurs at a molecular level, minimizing soreness and reduced muscle performance.
In a small study in 10 female athletes, blueberries accelerated muscle recovery after strenuous leg exercises (41).
Summary
One study suggests that blueberries may aid muscle recovery after strenuous exercise, though more research is needed.
- Joe Leech, MS
Mar 13, 2024 · Blueberries provide numerous health benefits, including some specifically for your brain. Blueberries and other deeply colored berries deliver anthocyanins , a group of plant compounds...
- Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish and walnuts, and antioxidants, including berries, broccoli, and pumpkin seeds, help support h...
- Some foods that may negatively impact brain function include sugar-sweetened beverages, refined carbohydrates, and foods high in salt.
- Some foods and drinks, such as dark chocolate and green tea, may support focus and memory.
- Some brain-boosting foods that you can eat on the go include nuts, citrus fruit, dark chocolate, and hard-boiled eggs.
Apr 24, 2023 · New research suggests that eating around 75–80 blueberries a day could help improve cognitive function, as well as some measures of cardiovascular health.
Jul 7, 2017 · Blueberries are vitamin-rich berries that boost brain health via their high content of antioxidants, specifically flavonoids. Daily consumption of this "brain berry" has been found to slow memory impairments and motor coordination that are typically associated with aging.
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Jan 1, 2011 · Emerging research suggests that compounds in blueberries known as flavonoids may improve memory, learning and general cognitive function, including reasoning skills, decision making, verbal...
