Choose organically grown blueberries to get more flavor—and more antioxidants, natural defenders against disease.

Get the blues: organic blueberries pack a bigger nutritional mojo.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tested commercially-grown blueberries for sugar content and antioxidant activity. Those grown with USDA registered organic techniques beat out chemically cultured berries on both counts.

THE DETAILS: Ten New Jersey farms were tested; five were USDA-registered organic, while five used chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Tests showed that organically grown blueberries contained more fructose and glucose, the sugars that give the berries their sweetness. The organic berries also scored about 50% higher on tests of antioxidant capability.

WHAT IT MEANS: Antioxidants are important because they protect the body from free radicals—damaging chemical by-products that have been linked to health concerns from cancer to heart disease to skin aging. Among fruits and veggies, blueberries rate pretty high for antioxidant content. Stick with the organic kind and you’ll get an extra-healthy version of a super-healthy fruit.