The fruit from each collected plant is ranked for its overall medicinal quality and for the relative bioactive contribution of each of its polyphenolic components. The earliest recorded use of blueberry for medicinal purposes dates from the Middle Ages, and it has been used in European folk medicine since the 16th century. Research has been done by our lab at Rutgers and by scientists in Israel on the ability of blueberries to prevent urinary tract infections. The compounds inhibit the binding of E. coli bacteria to the urinary tract wall, thus preventing the bacteria from invading the tissues and causing an infection. Treatment with blueberry compounds offers an alternative to the use of antibiotics.
Recent work indicates that blueberries contain compounds having anti-cancer properties.
They act to induce enzymes that protect against cancer and reduce rapid tumor growth. A survey of the antioxidant capacity of a number of fruits and vegetables conducted by Dr. Ron Pryor of the USDA placed blueberry at the top of the list. Some reports exist on the favorable effects of blueberries on eyesight. One study showed that when Israeli fighter pilots were given regular doses of blueberry, their night vision significantly improved. The effects result from the ability of the blueberry compounds to enhance capillary elasticity and permeability of the eye.