14/06/2024
Wild blueberries are high in vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, fiber and antioxidants. One of the most abundant antioxidants in wild blueberries (when ripe) are the flavonoid compounds anthocyanins (Gibson et al. 2013). Anthocyanins are located in the skin and responsible for the blue pigmentation and some associated health benefits. As researches, stakeholders and consumers of this nutritional wild food crop, it is important to consider the vitamin and mineral concentrations from field to human body.
Due to the low soil pH of wild blueberry fields (4.0-5.0), excess minerals are available for plant uptake, while other required plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, are less available. Wild blueberry plants have evolved to tolerate metals in the soil when other competing plants have not (Smagula and Litten 2003). Naturally occurring trace metals (minerals) are consequently taken up by the crop and stored in the stem, leaves and berries (Smagula and Litten 2003; Yarborough et al. 2017).
Wild blueberries have 33% more anthocyanins than ordinary Blueberries—giving you a big leg up when it comes to keeping your brain and body running strong.
In fact, wild blueberries have 2x the antioxidant power of ordinary blueberries, offering more of what it takes to combat disease and promote healthy aging.
Sources:
http://www.wildblueberries.com/health-research/antioxidants/
Cooperative Extension: Maine Wild Blueberrie
Created by: Lily Calderwood, PhD, Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist & Brogan Tooley, Research Assistant
Reviewed by Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, PhD, FACN, Professor of Clinical Nutrition
