By Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN and Caroline Jury BS
mail@floridanewsline.com
Did you know that the history of celebrating these juicy fruits would not have been possible if a woman did not notice them? Before 1911, blueberries grew in the wild, and people ignored them. The partnership between Dr. Frederick Coville, a USDA botanist, and Elizabeth White successfully cultivated blueberries on her farm in 1911. Four years later, they became commercially available; however, it was not until July 2003 that the USDA declared July as National Blueberry Month. Learn more about blueberries: https://blueberry.org/about-blueberries/history-of-blueberries/
Aside from their sweetness and deep color, blueberries have a lot to offer. So, what makes these tiny powerhouses unique? It is one of the only naturally blue fruits, thanks to anthocyanin that renders the blue color, protecting against cancer-causing free radicals in the body. The deeper the color, the more antioxidants, vitamins, and other rich minerals they contain. The antioxidants they contain also prevent infection and improve the immune system. Blueberries are packed with nutrition — one cup of blueberries has fewer than 100 calories and contains nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin C and potassium.
Aside from being nutrient-dense, it is also very versatile and may be used in both hot and cold dishes. It can be enjoyed as is, or you can make a yogurt parfait or on top of your cereal, or they can be baked into muffins, sauces, or sandwiches. Blueberries thrive from April to late September, which is usually when you can get a good deal at the grocery store, you can always buy extra to freeze them for the remainder of the year. So, let’s celebrate National Blueberry Month by grabbing a container or two from your favorite supermarket and farmer’s market.
Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN, LDN, CLC, FAND is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida.
