Wild blueberries surpass cultivated blueberries in number of antioxidants by 50%, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Wild blueberries score over 13,000 for total antioxidants, whereas cultivated blueberries rank second with only 9,000. Antioxidants are measured in foods by their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), a measurement standard developed by the USDA. Telling the difference between a wild and cultivated blueberry is based on their size: Cultivated blueberries are generally larger and juicier, while wild blueberries are typically half the size.
More about blueberries:
- Almost 25% of the US recommended daily allowance of vitamin C is in one cup of blueberries.
- The biliberry is a close cousin to the blueberry grown in the United Kingdom. Biliberries are largely eaten in cakes, pies, and jams, and taken as a health supplement for cardiovascular treatment.
- The US produces most of the world's blueberries at over 26%, followed by Canada at 16%.