Blueberry crops have been steadily increasing, which means the blueberry industry will face an inevitable glut of the fruit if consumers do not eat more of them. Promotion of the fruit may be easy, as animal studies have found that blueberries may reverse age-related memory loss and other studies have found that blueberries contain many health-promoting antioxidants.

In one study, which is partly funded by the blueberry industry, the fruit is even being added to hamburgers and chickenburgers to improve the taste of reheated meat. Wild blueberry milk, blueberry beer and blueberry face cream are also being developed.

Blueberries are associated with numerous health benefits including protection against urinary-tract infections, cancer, age-related health conditions, hearth disease and brain damage from strokes, yet current per capita consumption is just four cups a year, an amount that is just one-sixth the amount of strawberries consumed.

In a previous study on lab rats, old rats fed a diet rich in blueberries grew neurons, which means the blueberries may play a role in reversing age-related short-term memory loss. While the results haven’t been replicated in human trials, another study on lab rats is further investigating the effects of blueberries.

The Wall Street Journal April 23, 2003