Blueberry Juice Nutrition

Blueberry juice, a sweet beverage, is juice pressed from blueberries, a small fruit. Some juice has added natural and artificial sweeteners, and some is combined with other fruit juice, such as pomegranate or cranberry. Blueberry juice without sweeteners serves as a lower-calorie alternative to other types of fruit juices, like apple and cranberry juices.

Calories and Macronutrients

An 8-oz. serving of unsweetened blueberry juice contains 100 to 110 calories. The same size serving of other types of juice contains 120 to 140 calories. Blueberry juice contains no protein or fat, but it does have 24 to 28 g of carbohydrates per 8 oz. The Institute of Medicine notes that your daily meal should contain 130 g of this macronutrient. The carbohydrates in your diet serve as a primary source of energy. They break down into glucose in your bloodstream, which fuels your body. Carbohydrates also play a role in your digestion and may prevent constipation.

Vitamins and Minerals

An 8-oz. serving of blueberry juice contributes toward the amount of potassium you need each day, containing 160 to 180 mg. An ideal diet requires 2,000 mg for optimal health. Potassium helps your muscles function correctly, including your heart, and it works along with sodium and magnesium to conduct electricity throughout your body. This juice also contains 2 percent of the calcium and iron your body requires. Calcium helps strengthen your bones and teeth, while iron helps your body get the oxygen it needs.

Sugar

Blueberry juice is naturally high in sugar. Each 8-oz. portion contains 18 to 27 g. While the natural sugar in the foods you consume does not negatively effect your health, it is necessary to monitor your diet for sugar, particularly if you have a sensitivity to it. Eating too much sugar, especially added sugars, may cause dental cavities and can increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. It may also cause excess weight gain. Read nutritional labels to make sure the blueberry juice you consume does not contain added sweeteners.

Benefits

Blueberry juice contains more antioxidants, compounds that prevent cellular damage from free radicals, than any other fruit juice, according a May 2008 press release from the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. These antioxidants, along with phytochemicals, may enhance memory as you age. Research published in the January 2010 "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" noted that elderly study participants who consumed 2 to 2 1/2 cups of blueberry juice over a period of two months demonstrated improvement on cognitive tests.

Considerations

Like any food, blueberries and their juice may cause food allergies. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that approximately 25 percent of people think they experience food allergies, although just 2 percent of adults have actual allergic reactions to foods. While fruit allergies are not high on the list of common allergens, they may occur. Symptoms include hives, swelling and other skin conditions, as well as breathing problems, light-headedness and discolored skin.