Blueberries and Your Health

How can blueberries help you?

Antioxidants are thought to protect the body against the effects of free radicals and the diseases related to the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and Vitamin E. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. In addition, blueberries contain anthocyanins and phenolics which also act as antioxidants. According to data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, blueberries are one of the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity.

One cup of blueberries contains 14% DV of fiber 2.41 g per 100g.
Blueberries are a source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, phenolics, and flavonoids.
Blueberries are very low in fat and sodium.

Processed Blueberries
Blueberry fields are grown in long, straight rows. Although some processed blueberries are hand picked, a majority are mechanically harvested with specially designed blueberry harvesters. There are several varieties, but for the most part the concept is simple: A machine is driven or towed through the field and mechanical rods shake the plants to drop the blueberries into buckets or conveyors. The many different varieties of blueberries all mature at different times.

Canning The Berry
Blueberries can be packed in water or syrup or prepared into lasting pie fillings and sauces.

Freezing The Berry
Fresh picked blueberries can be frozen and saved many different ways.


Individually quick frozen blueberries are flash frozen at extremely low temperatures. This allows the berries to be frozen in singles and not frozen into a big ball of berry. It's very simple to do this: spread blueberries out on top of a sheet of wax paper and place on a cookie sheet. Place in a freezer overnight.

Block Frozen Blueberries. Blueberries are placed in containers and then are frozen, but they might all stick together so your best option is to stick with the individual quick freeze option.


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