Blueberries

The blueberry bush (Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus) is a flowering shrub that produces berries with a bluish, purple hue — also known as blueberries. Health Benefits One cup of blueberries provides 24 percent of a person recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Blueberries contain iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K. Vitamin C, vitamin A, and the various phytonutrients in blueberries function as powerful antioxidants that may help protect cells against damage from disease-linked free radicals. Blueberries can also improve a person’s short-term memory and motor coordination. Blueberries also contain copper, beta-carotene, folate, choline, vitamins A and E, and manganese. Nutrition One cup of fresh blueberries contains: 84 calories 0 g of cholesterol 1.1 g of protein 0.49 g of fat 21.45 g of carbohydrate 3.6 g of dietary fibre 14.74 g of total sugars