We are about 1 week away from blueberry season here in PA (Blueberries typically ripen from early July to mid-August in PA. The ripening schedule can change due to weather patterns), so I figured this is a good day to talk about the health benefits of blueberries.

A blueberry is a small, dark blue, sweet and slightly tart fruit that grows on shrubs that is low in calories – but high in nutrients and health benefits.

• Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids- meaning they reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. In other words, they keep your immune system happy. Also, blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels in fruits and vegetables.
• Reduce damage to DNA- due to the high antioxidants, free radicals can be neutralized.
• Improve memory and cognitive function – this is self-explanatory I think, however this also is incorporated into any age-related decline
• Supports brain blood-flow – blueberries increase the cerebral blood flow.  It means it’s great for maintaining cognitive function.
• Lower blood pressure – ongoing studies show that eating blueberries everyday can lower blood pressure
• Reduce muscle damage after strenuous exercise- this goes back to the high antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. They are still working on find out more information on this.

Overall, blueberries are nutritious and yummy, so its worth considering adding it to you diet, whether its in a bowl of cereal, straight or any other way.