Vitamins in Blueberry Tea

Blueberry tea is made of blueberries and crimson-red blueberry leaves. Blueberries are filled with beneficial nutrients that become more concentrated in tea form. This is because the blueberry leaves contain significant amounts of antioxidants, according to a study in the "Journal of Medicinal Food." The health benefits of blueberries include the potential to improve memory, prevent some cancers, improve digestion and a cardioprotective effect, explains the Highbush Blueberry Council.

Vitamin C

Blueberries contain 14 mg of vitamin C per cup, according to the USDA Nutrient Data Lab. This is approximately 20 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, as women need 75 mg of vitamin C each day, and men need 90 mg. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and aids in immune function, wound healing, iron absorption iron and collagen formation. The body does not make vitamin C, so obtaining it from the diet is essential.

Vitamin E

Blueberries provide 0.8 mg of vitamin E per 1 cup serving. Men and women need 15 mg of vitamin E per day, so blueberries are not a significant source of the vitamin E. However, the amount of the vitamin in blueberry tea is somewhat higher because it is concentrated. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin and acts as an antioxidant by preventing damage from free radicals.

Antioxidants

Blueberry tea is filled with antioxidants. The USDA Human Nutrition Research Center reports that blueberries contain one of the highest levels of antioxidants found in foods. One serving of blueberries has more antioxidants than most other fruits, according to the Highbush Blueberry Council. Blueberries are particularly high in anthocyanins and phenolics. Anthocyanin is the antioxidant in blueberries that produces the red and blue color. Phenolic refers to a natural biomolecule found in plants. Both anthocyanins and phenolics are what give blueberries the capacity to prevent damage from free radicals.