27/05/2026
Are blueberries actually “good for you”?
Yes… but not for the reason most people think.
They’re not just antioxidants.
Blueberries contain compounds like anthocyanins and polyphenols that act more like gene signalling molecules than direct antioxidants.
They help switch on your body’s own antioxidant and detox systems.
Which means the benefit you get depends on your genetics.
Some people may benefit more, especially if they have variants in genes like:
• MnSOD – protects mitochondria from oxidative stress
• NRF2 – regulates hundreds of antioxidant and detox genes
• GSTP1 – supports detoxification pathways
Same food.
Different biological response.
That’s the shift.
It’s not just “is this food healthy?”
It’s “how does my body respond to it?”
Because nutrition is not one-size-fits-all.