Blueberries Have An Antioxidant Concentration Which Benefits Live Animals

New live animal studies show that the antioxidant concentration found in blueberries makes them a favorite choice for birds.

A study released to the public on March 31, 2008 shows that birds choose blueberries because of the rich concentration of antioxidants that they have. Birds which eat fruit naturally choose the fruit that will benefit them the most. Antioxidants are a major factor in what they choose.

"We fed the birds an amount of flavonoids that they would obtain by eating 1-2 blackberries, bilberries [European cousin of the blueberry], and elderberries a day.

We used this modest intake of flavonoids because high quantities are only available during the limited time of maximum berry abundance. Our study shows for the first time that flavonoids are beneficial compounds that can boost the immune system in a living organism.

We also found that wild birds actively select food containing flavonoids. Our results have important implications for the study of ecology and immunity in birds, and for the evolution of the relationship between plants and the birds and animals they rely on to disperse their seeds."



There have been thousands of studies done on antioxidants in the past few years. This study is unique because it studied live animals and was not just a test-tube study.

The birds used in the study actively chose foods with added antioxidants over the other choice they were given. This natural instinct is what keeps them healthy. It is also important for humans to know what foods will help with our immune system and give us the most nutrition.

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