Blueberries — a source of the phytonutrients resveratrol

Blueberry fruits contained a variety of phytochemicals that could contribute to these protective effects, including flavonoids such as anthocyanins, flavonols, and pro-anthocyanins; substituted cinnamic acids and stilbenes.

Pterostilbene and piceatannol, analogues of resveratrol were also found in rabbiteye and highbush blueberry fruit. These naturally occurring stilbenes, known to be strong antioxidants and to have cancer chemo-preventive activities.

Resveratrol concentrations as high as 1.7 ug/g DW were reported for blueberry. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, meaning it is part of a plant’s defense arsenal. The antioxidant properties of resveratrol are due or conjugation throughout entire molecule.

Blueberries are often consumed after cooking, in pies for example. The effect of eighteenth minutes of heating at 190 degrees C resulted in between 17% and 46% degradation of the resveratrol.

It was reported that resveratrol can inhibit the start of carcinogenesis, stopping cancer progression at its initial stage.
Blueberries — a source of the phytonutrients resveratrol