Blueberries have several health benefits. They contain a high
concentration of antioxidants which have been found to have an influence on the
brain, the heart and numerous diseases/conditions.

They have been said to have positive effects on the brain such as
decreasing the decline of neuronal and cognitive function that occur with age
(Youdim et al. 2000). This is because they are rich in the antioxidant flavonoid,
which aids in limiting the degeneration and deterioration in cognitive
performance associated with a number of neurological disorders (Spencer 2009).

Studies have shown foods rich in this particular antioxidant, like
blueberries, strawberries and cocoa can help to maintain concentration, memory
and cognitive performance. This is thought to be achieved by the antioxidant
stimulating the activation of a particular enzyme in the body which increases
the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain (Derbyshire 2009).

Studies have suggested that blueberries, among some other berries,
contain a compound (called Psterostilbene) which may help to prevent bowel
cancer (Suh et al 2007). Scientists believe they may do this by decreasing fat
and cholesterol levels (which have links with colon cancer), as well as by
reducing the number of highly reactive molecules which can trigger cancer
growth (BBC News 2007). Polyphenols – another chemical found in blueberries has
been also been proposed to reduce the development and increase the breakdown of
fat cells, playing a part in controlling obesity (Science Daily 2011).

Results from other studies suggest that eating blueberries in the
long-term could be a key component of preventing breast cancer by working to
decrease growth and metastatic potential in breast tumours (Adams et al. 2010).

Furthermore, research on links between the heart and blueberries have
suggested that blueberries affect the function of blood vessels walls, making
them more resistant to the oxidative stress which could lead to cardiovascular
diseases (Daniells 2006).

 

References:

 

Adams,
L. S., Phung, S., Yee, N. et al. 2010. Blueberry phytochemicals inhibit growth
and metastatic potential of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through modulation
of the phosphatidylinostiol 3-kinase pathway. Cancer Research 70, 3594 – 3605

 

BBC
News. 2007. Blueberries tackle bowel cancer. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6480319.stm
[accessed 29/08/2011]

 

Daniells.
S. 2006. Blueberries show promise in protecting heart. http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Blueberries-show-promise-in-protecting-heart
[accessed 29/08/2011]

 

Derbyshire,
D. 2009. A bowl of blueberries a day keeps the brain active in the
afternoon. Daily Mail Online http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1212579/A-bowl-blueberries-day-keeps-brain-active-afternoon.html
[accessed 26/08/2011]

 

Science
Daily. 2011. Blueberries may inhibit development of fat cells. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110410130824.htm
[accessed 29/08/2011]

 

Spencer,
J. P. 2009. Flavonoids and brain health: multiple effects underpinned by
common mechanisms. Genes Nutrition 4, 243 – 250

 

Suh, N.
Paul, S., Hao, X. et al. 2007. Pterostilbene, an active constituent of
blueberries, suppresses aberrant crypt foci formation in the
azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis model in rats. Clinical Cancer research 13,
350 – 355

 

Youdim,
K. A., Shukitt-Hale, B., Martin, A. et al. 2000. Short-term dietary
supplementation of blueberry polyphenolics: beneficical effects on aging brain
performance and peripheral tissue function.
Nutritional neuroscience 3,
387-397

 

Article

Are organic blueberries better for you?

 

By Yun Xie

Blueberries, one of my favorite fruits, have a wonderful combination of tastiness and
nutritional benefits. They are low in calories and have high antioxidant content, enabling them to scavenge radicals that might otherwise damage the body. Blueberries in general have health benefits, but are organic blueberries even better than conventionally grown ones? A collaborative project between the US Department of Agriculture and Rutgers University attempted to answer that question, and the results came in the form of a recent publication in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The researchers collected blueberries from five organic farms and five conventional farms in New Jersey.
All the farms had similar surroundings with comparable environmental factors. Also, fruit were chosen for uniform size and color. They all came from the full sunny side of the bushes and were picked in early August. The scientists tested the berries for sugar, acid, and antioxidant contents.

In terms of sugar content, organically grown blueberries contained higher amounts of
fructose and glucose. There appeared to be no significant difference in citric acid content, but organic berries contained more malic acid. More importantly, organic berries had higher ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values. Higher ORAC values mean that organic blueberries are better at preventing the chemical oxidation that leads to cellular damage.

 

Cultivation Method	Fructose (mg/g)	Glucose (mg/g)	Citric Acid (mg/g)	Malic Acid (mg/g)	ORAC (mg/g)
Organic	97.06	45.53	3.47	0.043	46.14
Conventional	79.26	29.72	3.14	0.029	30.76

 

These results do suggest that organic blueberries are better for you, but we have to
keep in mind that there are many factors that influence the final nutritional content of berries—it is difficult to draw sweeping conclusions from the products of 10 farms in one state. Cultivation processes, nutritional content of the soil, and many other factors affect blueberry quality. It’s also worth
emphasizing that the numbers in the table above are average values. Looking at a breakdown of each farm shows that there are large differences in the nutritional content from farm to farm.

Although this study is useful as a general reference, it does not truly answer the question of whether or not organic blueberries are superior to conventional ones. A search of the literature shows that the science community is divided on the nutritional benefits of organic farming; there are facts and figures
providing support for both cultivation methods. Even though the jury is still out, at least my taste buds can’t tell the difference—no matter how they’re grown, blueberries are a delicious snack.

 

J. Agric.
Food Chem., 2008.
DOI: 10.1021/jf703775r