blueberries Archives - Wild Blueberries

When it comes to Wild Blueberry Research, one of the leading experts in Maine is Dr. Vivian Chi-Hua Wu. Dr. Wu is Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine, where she directs the Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory for research in microbiology, food safety and functional food.

Dr. Wu has conducted dozens of studies ranging from the antimicrobial properties of cranberries and Wild Blueberries, to Maine berries as natural preservatives, to how wild blueberries maintain gut health, and most recently, the antiviral properties of Wild Blueberries. Dr. Wu grew up in Taiwan, and one of her passions in life is introducing the people of China to the health benefits of the Wild Blueberry.

We spent a few days in Bar Harbor, Maine, getting to know Dr. Wu and her family and hearing about her fascinating research.

When did you first learn about Wild Blueberries?

I knew about blueberries in general when I was growing up in Taiwan, but I truly came to understand the differences between cultivated and Wild Blueberries in 2003, when I started my research in Maine.

Do you think Wild Blueberries have superior qualities as a food?

Yes, of course! Wild Blueberries have amazing health properties, which make them a rare and special fruit. They are one of the superfruits – with natural phytochemicals such as anthocyanin – and they have higher antioxidant capacity per serving compared to many other fruits. All of these benefits can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is important for everyone.

Do you think there is growing interest in China and around the world in Wild Blueberries?

Yes, very much. The Chinese people are really coming to know blueberries, and for me there is great value in teaching them to recognize the difference between the wild and the cultivated berry. This includes the health benefits and application, but also the wild heritage and the fact that they have been growing in this region of the world for more than 10,000 years.

Why do you think Wild Blueberries are becoming more popular in China?

Since 2009, I have been working with the Wild Blueberry Association of North America to conduct promotional tours in China where we introduce Chinese chefs and food service buyers to the attributes of Wild Blueberries. People in China are now starting to understand the superior health benefits that Wild Blueberries can offer. As healthy foods become more and more important to the Chinese and to people around the world, Wild Blueberries are definitely going to engage people’s interest.

What’s driving the interest in healthy foods in China ?

When a society changes from poor to rich, then food is no longer just for satisfying hunger. This phenomenon is happening in China. The Chinese care more and more about eating to maintain health.

You have been studying the effects Wild Blueberries can have in fighting viruses like Norovirus? What can you share about your research?

We have found that the wild lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) has antiviral properties. There is evidence that the phytochemicals in Wild Blueberries can even work against Norovirus. The results are very promising and we hope to share them in a publication very soon.

We enjoyed meeting your 3-year-old son in Bar Harbor. Does he like Wild Blueberries?

Wild Blueberries are my son’s favorite fruit among all others. If he has a choice, he would go with food products containing wild blueberries. I use very simple ways to serve Wild Blueberries to my son. I add frozen Wild Blueberries into whole milk and let him eat them every morning for breakfast. I also mix frozen Wild Blueberries with plain yogurt or oatmeal. He loves them!

A simple breakfast of cereal and milk is a staple for many people—and for good reason. Not only is it quick, easy and tasty, this classic morning combo has a good nutritional profile as well, providing plenty of vitamins and minerals, some protein and some fiber.

About that fiber… According to the USDA, most of us typically fall far short of reaching daily fiber intake goals, making it a “nutrient of concern” in American diets. The recommendation for Adequate Intake of dietary fiber is 14 grams/1,000 calories, or 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. There are two forms of fiber (soluble and insoluble), and both types are found in plants, so eating plenty of produce goes a long way toward upping your daily fiber tally. Choosing Wild Blueberries is a smart move in the right direction—a cup of Wild Blues provides 25% of the Daily Value for fiber.

Why is fiber so fabulous?
Most of us have heard that what Grandma called “roughage” is good for keeping things moving along well in the GI tract and helping prevent constipation. And while that’s still true, there are several more reasons to favor fiber-filled foods. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, fiber can help prevent heart disease by helping to lower cholesterol levels, and can help deter diabetes by aiding in blood sugar control. What’s more, a high-fiber eating plan tends to be lower in calories than one without, and also contributes to a feeling of fullness—together that can help with weight loss or weight maintenance efforts.

Why “go wild” at breakfast?
Fruit in general is a good choice at breakfast, and berries atop a bowl of hot or cold cereal are a natural. “Going wild” at breakfast by sprinkling Wild Blueberries over oatmeal or a favorite whole grain cereal is a great way to get more fiber into your morning meal. Why? The petite size of Wild Blueberries means there are roughly twice the number of berries in a cup compared to their cultivated counterparts. And, given that much of the berry’s fiber is found in the skin, more berries means more berry skins and therefore, more fiber. In fact, Wild Blueberries contain double the fiber of their cultivated counterparts (6 grams per cup).

Start your day with frozen Wild Blueberries
It’s so easy to add Wild Blueberries to your morning cereal—you don’t even need to have fresh berries on hand. In fact, most of the Wild Blueberry crop is frozen at the peak of ripeness (and usually within 24 hours of harvest), which preserves their nutrients and intense blueberry taste. What’s more, Wild Blueberries don’t even need to be thawed before sprinkling them onto your bowl of bran flakes. How’s that for nutritious, delicious and convenient?

Kit Broihier is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian and co-author of several cookbooks. She contributes regularly to a variety of national and regional publications and blogs. Previously on the editorial staff at Good Housekeeping magazine, she now owns a food and nutrition consulting company and currently serves as a nutrition advisor to the Wild Blueberry Association of North America.

Wild Blueberries Making a Name for Themselves in China