Any way you buy them - fresh, frozen or dried - blueberries are packed with nutritional power. If you need reasons beside taste to snack on blueberries, keep these nutrition facts in mind. Blueberries:

1. Provide antioxidants. Anthocyanins, the pigments that make blueberries blue, are potent antioxidants: A half cup of blueberries provides the antioxidant power of five servings of peas, carrots, apples, squash or broccoli.
2. Are a healthy, low glycemic-index carbohydrate, an especially good choice for diabetics.
3. Are a source of vitamin C, important for a healthy immune system.
4. Help meet your need for daily fiber - two grams per one-half cup serving.
5. Have shown promise in addressing the effects of aging: animal studies have demonstrated improved motor skills and a reversal of age-related short-term memory loss associated with consuming blueberries.
6. May have other health benefits ranging from preventing cancer and defending against urinary tract infections to protecting the brain from stroke damage and reducing heart disease risks.

Look for organic blueberries, and toss some in a salad, on cereal, eat as a snack, or make a blueberry pie. If fresh organic blueberries are cost prohibitive, substitute with frozen or dried products - all three forms provide health-protective benefits. Keep in mind that dried blueberries are a concentrated source of sugar, so enjoy them in moderation.

Need Blueberry Ideas?
From Blueberry Crumble to Blueberry Ketchup, Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging has recipes starring this powerful fruit. See all the nutritional information we offer - including Anti-Inflammatory Diet eating guides and seasonal shopping lists – when you start your 14-day free trial!