Wild Blueberries: 5 Reasons To Eat Them For Health

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What&#;s in your grocery cart is the number one indicator of what will end up on your plate. So, it makes sense that filling your cart with nutritious foods will improve health. Of course we love to fill our carts with a variety of whole and real-food options, including plenty of fresh produce. But for one of the most antioxidant-rich options out there, we head right to the frozen case. That&#;s where you&#;ll find a variety of blueberries, called wild blueberries that are only available in the frozen case. Read more about what wild blueberries are, their health benefits, and how wild blueberries compare to typical cultivated blueberries.

This post was created in partnership with Wild Blueberries of North America

What Are Wild Blueberries? 

Wild blueberries are one of just three indigenous fruits that are native to North America. They are a type of natural-growing berry that grows on bushes and has an extensive underground root system. This type of berry is considered wild and natural, and they grow happily on a desolate plain known as The Barrens of Maine. They first started growing in Maine more than 10,000 years ago following the retreat of glaciers in that area of the U.S.

Wild blueberries truly are a naturally occurring crop that grow today similar to how they&#;ve grown for thousands of years. Unlike other types of produce, they have never been hybridized or genetically modified to enhance or alter their naturally occurring benefits and great taste.

Where Are They Grown?

Wild blueberries are harvested in Maine. Many of today&#;s wild blueberry growers have been in the business and part of independent, family-owned farms for many generations. The oldest commercial wild blueberry processing company dates back to .

Who First Discovered Them?  

The Wabanaki Tribe of Native American peoples were among the first humans known to use fresh and dried wild blueberries for food and their healing qualities. Today&#;s wild blueberry farmers are independent, family-owned growers, many of whom harvest the berries on the same barrens their ancestors did, and using the same natural growing and harvesting techniques handed down through the generations.

What Do They Look And Taste Like? 

Wild blueberries have a sweet and mildly tart taste. In each field there are thousands of different varieties and you&#;ll see berries ranging in colors from pink and dark blues to light and dark purple. It&#;s this diversity that gives wild blue berries their intense, delicious, sweet-tart taste and spectacular blend of complex flavors.

Tip!

See The Harvest

See how these superfruits are grown and harvested, and meet some of the Maine farmers who grow wild blueberries in this video.

5 Health Benefits of Wild Blueberries

Studies show that wild grown blueberries are a very healthy fruit choice and one of the most nutritious foods you can buy. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components of these superfruits have been scientifically connected to better brain health, gut health, heart health, cancer prevention, reduced risk of diabetes, and urinary tract health. Here are five stand-out reasons to eat more wild blueberries for health:

1. Very high in antioxidants: Wild blueberries have one of the very highest concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols, along with other plant-based foods like dried peppermint, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, black currants, and hazelnuts.
2. A naturally low-sugar fruit: Wild blueberries have 30% less sugar compared to cultivated highbush blueberries, and contain just 2.5 grams of sugar per ¼ cup. They are also considered a low glycemic food, scoring 53 on the glycemic index.
3. Top source of manganese: One cup of wild blues will provide you with 200% of the recommended intake of manganese, which is an essential mineral. Your body uses manganese to help regulate blood sugar and to maintain healthy skin and bones.
4. A fiber-rich berry: You can get 25% of the daily recommended intake of fiber just by eating a cup of delicious wild blueberries. In fact, they contain 72% more fiber than regular blueberries, due to the higher skin-to-pulp ratio of these indigenous berries. Fiber is an important nutrient to reduce the risk of heart disease, improve digestion, regulate blood sugar, and lower cholesterol.
5. Good for your brain: Emerging research has connected wild blue berries to better brain health. The high anthocyanins in wild blues, when consumed often, could have a positive effect on cognitive performance, including memory, response times, concentration, and mood.

Wild Blueberries Nutrition

Here is a breakdown of the common nutrients in a 1-cup serving of wild blue berries: 

• 80 calories
• 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat)
• 0 mg cholesterol
• 0 mg sodium
• 19 g total carbohydrate
• 6 g dietary fiber
• 10 g sugars (0 g added sugars)
• 0 g protein
• 24 mg calcium (2% of the Daily Value)
• 1 mg iron (6% of the DV)
• 95 mg potassium (2% of the DV)
• 1 mg zinc (10% of the DV)
• 4 mg manganese (170% of the DV)

How to Buy The Healthiest Berries

If you live outside of Maine, it&#;s hard to get your hands on fresh wild blueberries. So instead wild blueberries are flash frozen right after being harvested and can be found in the frozen food aisle of your local grocery store. You can typically purchase them in 3-lb resealable bags (for example, Wyman&#;s Wild Blueberries is a common brand you&#;ll see). One of the benefits of these blueberries is that you can get your hands on them year round. 

Find them in the frozen produce section of most supermarkets and grocery stores, and look for the word &#;wild&#; on the package. Once home, store the frozen blueberries in your freezer and scoop out what you need to eat or add to a recipe.

Tip!

Find Them In The Freezer

For the healthiest blueberries you can buy, head to the freezer case. Buying frozen wild blueberries is a great way to always have great-tasting blueberries on hand that deliver the most nutrition bang for your buck and can be used in many ways.

The Best Ways to Eat Wild Blueberries

There are so many ways you can get more wild blueberries into your meals. Some great ways to enjoy them are added to smoothies, served over yogurt or oatmeal, or added to baked goods, such as baked oatmeal, muffins, and cake. You can also enjoy wild blueberries in savory ways, too, such as a berry vinaigrette, as a condiment sauce for grilled meats, or added to a pilaf or cooked grain salad. Wild grown blueberries are also great for snacking, either frozen or thawed. For example, put some frozen wild blue berries in a small dish and enjoy them with a spoon as a &#;natural Dippin&#; Dots&#; that kids and adults will love to eat on a hot day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wild blueberries are one of the few fruits that are native to North America. They are an incredibly nutritious type of berry, with high amounts of flavonoid polyphenols, which are a powerful type of antioxidant.

Wild frozen blueberries that are properly stored in the freezer will last for 6 months or more.

Compared to ordinary blueberries, they have 72% more fiber, 33% more anthocyanins, twice as many antioxidants, and a more intense blueberry flavor. Ordinary blueberries are larger, lighter blue in color, and often have less sweetness, especially at certain times of the year. This type of blueberries also has a more intense blueberry flavor, smaller size, and darker blue-purple color.

Many people don&#;t realize that there are two types of blueberries, wild blueberries and ordinary blueberries, and that they are very different. Wild grown blueberries are not planted and grown all over the world like ordinary blueberries, but are a place-based, indigenous fruit (just 1 of 3 native North American fruits) that spread naturally where mother nature put them thousands of years ago when the glaciers receded. Wild blueberries are found predominantly in the frozen fruit aisle of the grocery store and are available fresh only during the summer harvest season in New England.

The botanical name for wild blueberries is vaccinium angustifolium. And they are sometimes referred to as lowbush blueberries. Regular blueberries, like those you&#;ll find in the fresh produce section of your grocery store, are sometimes referred to as highbush blueberries.

Yes, they have a higher antioxidant capacity, more fiber, less sugar, more iron, more manganese, and a more intense concentration of bioactive plant compounds than ordinary blueberries do.

Are you interested in learning more about blueberry powder health benefits? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Yes, if you are lucky enough to be around blueberry fields during the blueberry season, you can eat wild fresh blueberries right out of the fields. They are naturally resistant to many native pests and diseases, which is one of the reasons this fruit has flourished as one of our native fruits for many generations.

There have been dozens of health studies examining the effects of eating wild blueberries on human health and their nutritional benefits. Some of those include studies on antioxidants, studies on brain health, and studies on metabolic health (blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and more). You can read more about the scientific research on these most nutritious blueberries here.

Have You Tried Baked Oatmeal?

We love baked oatmeal for an easy, delicious, and nutritious breakfast. Our Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal tastes great when made with wild blueberries, plus it&#;s a recipe you can fully make ahead and reheat when that morning hustle hits. Top servings with a dollop of yogurt and more blueberries for a delightful start to your day.

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Global leader in natural ingredients, Nexira shares the optimal ways to use blueberry powder in order to make the most of its super nutritional benefits. 

Blueberries are consistently a top-ranked superfood  

Year after year, one of the top-ranking superfoods has always been blueberries, and is no exception. Blueberries ranked third overall on the &#;What&#;s Trending in Nutrition&#; Survey, in which respondents selected their top 10 superfood choices. In addition to their high placement on the list, they are the only fruit to be chosen this time. 

Apparently consumers can&#;t get enough of them, for blueberries are perceived to help support the immune system. As it happens, blueberries are naturally full of powerful antioxidants, specifically anthocyanins. Superfoods with nutrients such as blueberries which can help to support immune function are becoming more accessible and affordable, resulting in increased sales of this nutritious fruit.  

Are blueberry powders as healthy as fresh blueberries? 

Absolutely, both blueberry extract and wild blueberries can be healthy choices to incorporate into your diet.  

Fresh blueberries are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. They are also high in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give blueberries their deep blue color and have been linked to a range of health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving cognitive function. Indeed, blueberry consumption improves working memory, providing additional support for cognitive functions.

On the other hand, blueberry powder like Atmospheric BLUEBERRY is made by drying and grinding whole blueberries into a concentrated powder. It can be a convenient and versatile way to incorporate blueberries into your diet. It offers a longer shelf life and is easy to use in a wide variety of recipes. Moreover, blueberry powders can still be a good source of anthocyanins and other beneficial compounds. 

It&#;s important to choose a high-quality blueberry extract from a reputable source to ensure you&#;re getting the maximum nutritional benefits. Atmospheric BLUEBERRY by POW(D)ER range offers a concentrated way to enjoy the benefits of blueberries! 

Unlike cultivated blueberries, fresh berries are high in dietary fiber, which promotes healthy and regular digestion.

Let&#;s explore how to use organic, healthy wild blueberry powder in the most efficient way. 

What are some ways to use blueberry powder? 

Blueberry powder is a quick and convenient way to include these little powerhouses in your daily diet and quickly reap the health benefits. Blueberry powder is a nutrient-dense ingredient which is easy to add to any beverage by mixing it into juices and smoothies. Blueberry powder adds a good taste to anything it&#;s mixed with, and creates a rich blue color, making it more visually appealing as well. 

According to Food Insight, consumers who prioritize well-being are increasingly seeking nutrition in beverages that provides the same benefits as consuming the whole fruit. Using blueberry powder is a convenient alternative, especially when time is short in the morning and sitting down to eat breakfast isn&#;t always possible. Instead, mixing the blueberry powder into juice or a smoothie and drinking it on the go can help make sure you&#;re on time for your morning meeting &#; and you show up feeling satisfied and healthy! 

On mornings when you have a little extra time, blueberry powder is the perfect healthy ingredient with which to make pancakes, and to mix into your yogurt and cereal. There are so many ways to enjoy it, while naturally benefiting from the antioxidants. 

For a super-nutritional sweet treat, try this recipe for vegan coconut cupcakes which features Atmospheric Blueberry Powder as a key ingredient in both the filling and the frosting. Don&#;t let its looks deceive you &#; this dessert is packed with nutrients! 

At breakfast, for a pre-or post-workout meal, or merely for the purpose of satiating your mid-afternoon snack craving with a nutritional boost, functional beverages are quick and easy to prepare with blueberry powder. For example, organic blueberry powder provides a low-sugar, plant-based antioxidant-rich superfood that&#;s simple to consume any time of day or night. 

The POW(D)ER range encapsulates the culmination of Nexira&#;s research and discoveries regarding the unique natural properties of superfoods, including antioxidant qualities; for those looking to supplement their regular meals the nutrient-dense superfood powders contain many vitamins and minerals. Fruit Powders like Atmospheric Blueberry POW(D)ER by Nexira is easy to mix into cereals, smoothies, yogurts, pancakes, and more, resulting in a simple way for consumers to reap the benefits provided by the unique traditional properties of blueberries. 

For btob customers, in what types of products can you use blueberry powder?

Reflecting the core values of consumers, food and beverage manufacturers have applied initiatives to infuse their food and beverage products with ingredients that provide desirable health benefits, enhancing the end product with claims of healthy nutrition, antioxidants, and vitamins, while still ensuring they appeal to the senses of consumers with rich tastes and textures.  

Use wild blueberry powder as a primary ingredient to deliver products with benefits that matter to consumers: 

Consuming superfoods such as blueberry supplementation and related products as blueberry powder can help to create an optimal nutrient-dense diet geared towards an individual&#;s desired health benefits or fitness goals. There are multiple benefits of wild blueberry powder and its flavor works well with others in the Nexira POW(D)ER range. Follow the guide to create SuperBlends, by mixing blueberry powder and other organic superfood powders to create high-quality, tasty products that can help provide maximum health benefits as a good cardiovascular health to consumers. 

What are the perceived benefits of organic blueberry powder?  

According to a recent report from Vitafood Insights, many consumers are looking for nutritional ingredients and superfoods that will have a positive impact on their broader health. One in three consumers say they&#;ve recently purchased food or beverages that they believe will help boost their immunity, and often these include superfood ingredients such as blueberries which are known to have high antioxidant properties, which may help protect your cells against damage from free radicals, and may help reduce your risk from certain illnesses.

What about your outer appearance &#; is organic blueberry powder good for your skin?

The answer is yes!

Antioxidants are crucial for hair growth, strong nails, and healthy skin.&#;Many consumers are seeking a simpler way to incorporate this healthy berry into their daily diets, so they can experience these benefits without eating all that fruit. Regular consumption of blueberry powder would also helps in bone health and endothelial function.

This is where the blueberry powder comes in &#; it is so easy to mix with beverages like shakes and smoothies, and hot or cold foods such as yogurts, pancakes, dips, soups, cereal and more. Versatile blueberry powder is an easy and excellent source of supernutrients. Experience all these benefits by adding our wild blueberry powder to your daily diet. Discover the powder of wild blueberries and transform your health today.

This communication is not intended to the final consumer. It provides scientific information for professionals only. Communications to the final consumer have to be checked according to local regulations in force, since the conditions of use are beyond our control. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit goji berry powder supplier.