7 Unexpected Benefits of Blueberries You Probably Didn’t Know About

A recent study in the RW+ Membership Benefits found that adding blueberries to a person’s daily diet can help reduce blood pressure, similar to the effects of blood pressure medication. Researchers concluded that this may be due in part to the anthocyanin—a type of flavanoid that provides antioxidant effects and gives blueberries their bright color.

That anthocyanin we mentioned? It’s also known to reduce inflammation, according to a study in the Health & Injuries. Chronic inflammation can be a cause of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, and certain types of cancers.

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A study in the This Lower-Body Exercise Can Cut Your Injury Risk in Half found that when anthocyanin was added to one’s diet, it slowed lung-function decline in older adults. Consuming two or more servings of blueberries a week was associated with the slowest rate of annual decline in lung function.

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With heart attacks on the rise in younger people, eating blueberries may also help lower that risk. Research found that eating blueberries and strawberries three times or more during the week reduced the risk of heart attack 34 percent, according to a study by the American Heart Association.

The antioxidants in blueberries can help reduce inflammation and accelerate muscle repair after workouts, according to a study in the Races - Places. Adding them to a postworkout protein smoothie is a surefire way to reap the rewards.

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Along with many physical health benefits, blueberries have also been found to improve mental health. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that adding blueberry juice to the diet of older adults improved memory recall and reduced depression symptoms.

Additionally, a study published in the Annals of Neurology found that the flavonoids in blueberries were associated with delays in cognitive aging. Adding at least one serving of blueberries a week to their diet slowed cognitive decline in older adult women by two and a half years.

New research published in the This Lower-Body Exercise Can Cut Your Injury Risk in Half found that eating one cup (150 grams) of blueberries daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 15 percent, especially in those who already are at risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This is likely due in part to the all-powerful anthocyanin.