Hungry? Think Blue!

On May 8, 1999, the United States Department of Agriculture proclaimed July National Blueberry Month. Here’s a little look at the history – and benefits – of these sweet summertime treats.

The blueberry is a native North American plant grown in 35 states. Today, the United States produces more than 90 percent of all of the blueberries in the world. Cherished by both Native Americans and early European settlers alike, it has long been used in both food and medicines. In addition to being delicious and refreshing picked right off the bush, blueberries are popular in soups, stews, and lots of other foods.

But did you know that without the early 20th century innovations of Elizabeth Coleman White and Dr. Frederick Coville, you wouldn’t be able to buy fresh blueberries in the grocery story today? White and Coville were the first people to domesticate the wild highbush blueberry, directly contributing to the creation of the cultivated blueberry industry. By selecting desirable plants from the wild forests of the Northeast United States, the pair developed a hardy variety of blueberries that would be easy for commercial farmers to grow. Their breeding work is directly responsible for the cultivation of the plump, juicy, sweet, and easy to pick cultivated blueberry we enjoy today.

Eat Blueberries for Better Health:
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which are believed to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and many of the chronic diseases that come with aging. According to the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, blueberries provide more antioxidants than almost any other fresh fruit or vegetable.

Native Americans used leaves from the blueberry bush to make a blood purifier that was believed to be good for the kidneys, blueberry tea was used to help relax women during childbirth, and blueberry juice was offered to help combat coughs.

Modern medicine has also identified some possible health benefits of blueberries. Researchers at the Rutgers Blueberry and Cranberry Research Center in Chatsworth, N.J. found that blueberries can help prevent urinary tract infections in much the same way cranberries do. And Dr. Ronald Prior, a researcher with the USDA, has suggested that they may also help to stave off macular degeneration.