Today starts the 4th annual summit organised by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America (WBANA). For two days, US and Canadian health, nutrition and food science researchers will gather in Bar Harbor, Maine to share their latest wild blueberry research. The summit provides a forum for scientists working with wild blueberries to hold discussions about current findings and future collaborations. "Because of the blueberry's status as the number one antioxidant fruit, researchers want to work with wild blueberries to explore their potential. As a result, we've seen preliminary discoveries in the areas of cancer, heart disease, urinary tract health and aging," said John Sauve, executive director of WBANA. Research has shown that the plant chemicals that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colours are also the compounds responsible for various health properties. In the case of wild blueberries, the plant compound anthocyanin is thought to be the key to what makes the wild blueberry such a potent ally in the fight against diseases of aging. "As the only true-blue food, we're optimistic that consumers will want to add delicious Wild Blueberries to their diet once they realise the positive impact on their overall health and well-being," he added.
