Summer produces a bounty of berries that look good, taste good and, best of all, are good for you. Of all of the berries to choose from, “Wild Blueberries are especially healthful,” writes Amelia R. Farquhar of Cooking Light Magazine in the May 2005 issue. Noting that berries are among the healthiest foods you can eat, Farquhar cites research linking berries’ potential disease-fighting properties to their high concentration of antioxidants, which combat the free-radical damage that can lead to cancer, heart disease and aging. Wild Blueberries are particularly healthful, she says, because “they have the highest skin-to-flesh ratio of any fruit, and the disease-fighting compounds (anthocyanins) that give them their vibrant color are in the skin.”

In fact, color is key in the discussion of Wild Blueberry antioxidants. In the article, Farquhar quotes Dan Nadeau, M.D., assistant professor at Tufts Medical School and coauthor of The Color Code: A Revolutionary New Eating Plan for Optimum Health. His book recommends a diet rich in a variety of deeply colored fruits and vegetables in order to get the full spectrum of potential health benefits associated different phytonutrients. For example, deep-blue Wild Blueberries, with their high antioxidant content, are an excellent choice for your daily “blue” food. In addition to their potential health benefits, Nadeau says, “All berries are also low in sugar, high in fiber and one of the most mouthwatering, low-calorie snacks you’ll find.”