Blueberry Scientific Research

Scientists continue to report on the many benefits of blueberries every day.  This page serves as our scientific research center where you can find links to important studies covering a variety of health news and benefits. This information was been compiled by the U.S. Blueberry Council.

Topics: Aging | Antioxidant Activity | Bioavailability/Metabolism | Bone Health | Brain Function | Cancer | Cardiovascular | Composition | Diabetes | Exercise | Food Safety | Gut Health | Liver | Obesity | Urinary Tract Health

Aging:

Yang H, Pang W, Lu H, Cheng D, Yan X, Cheng Y, Jiang Y. Comparison of metabolic profiling of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and extracts from blueberry in aged mice. J Ag Food Chem. 2020 (5): 59:2069-2076.

Peng C, Zuo Y, Kwan KM, Liang Y, Ma KY, Chan HYE, Huang Y, Yu H, Chen Z. Blueberry extract prolongs lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster. Exp Gerontol. 2012; 47 (2): 170-178

Wilson MA, Shukitt-Hale B, Kalt W, Ingram DK, Joseph JA, Wolkow CA. Blueberry polyphenols increase lifespan and thermotolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans. Aging Cell 2006; 5 (2) :59-68.

Antioxidant Activity:

Wang SY, Chen H, Camp MJ, Ehlenfeldt MK. Flavonoid constituents and their contribution to antioxidant activity in cultivars and hybrids of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade). Food Chem. 2012; 132:855-864.

Wang SY, Camp JM, Ehlenfeldt MK. Antioxidant capacity and -glucosidase inhibitory activity in peel and flesh of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) cultivars. Food Chem. 2012; 132:1759-1768.

Wang Y, Chen H, Camp MJ, Ehlenfeldt MK. Genotype and growing season influence blueberry antioxidant capacity and other quality attributes. Int J Food Sci Tech. 2012; 47:1540-1549.

Sun L, Ding X, Qi J, Yu H, He S, Zhang J, Ge H, Yu B. Antioxidant anthocyanins screening through spectrum-effect relationships and DPPH-HPLC-DAD analysis on nine cultivars of introduced rabbiteye blueberry in China. Food Chem. 2012; 132 (2):759-765.

Bornsek SM, Ziberna L, Polak T, Vanzo A, Ulrih NP, Abram V, Tramer F, Passamonti S. Bilberry and blueberry anthocyanins act as powerful intracellular antioxidants in mammalian cells. Food Chem. 2012; 134 (4):1878-1884.

Bioavailability/Metabolism:

Del Bo C, Riso P, Brambilla A, Gardana C, Rizzolo A, Simonetti P, Bertolo G, Klimis-Zacas D, Porrini M. Blanching improves anthocyanin absorption from highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) puree in healthy human volunteers: a pilot study. J Agric Food Chem 2012; 60:9298-9304.

Hanley MJ, Masse G, Harmatz JS, Cancalon PF, Dolinkowshki GC, Court MH, Greenblatt DJ. Effect of blueberry juice on clearance of buspirone and flurbiprofen in human volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013; 74 (4):1041-1052.

Milbury PE, Kalt W. Xenobiotic metabolism and berry flavonoid transport across the blood-brain barrier. J Agric Food Chem. 2010; 58 (7) :3950-3956.

Dulebohn RV, Yi W, Srivastava A, Akoh CC, Krewer G, Fischer JG. Effects of blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) on DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and phase II enzyme activities in rats. J Agric Food Chem 2008; 56 (24) :11700-6.

Kalt W, Blumberg JB, McDonald JE, Vinquist-Tymchuk MR, Fillmore SAE, Graf BA, O’Leary JM, Milbury PE. Identification of anthocyanins in the liver, eye, and brain of blueberry-fed pigs. J Agric Food Chem 2008; 56 (3) :705-12.

Russell WR, Labat A, Scobbie L, Duncan SH. Availability of blueberry phenolics for microbial metabolism in the colon and the potential inflammatory implications. Mol Nutr Food Res 2007; 51 (6) :726-31.

Stevenson DE, Cooney JM, Jensen DJ, Zhang J, Wibisono R. Comparison of the relative recovery of polyphenolics in two fruit extracts from a model of degradation during digestion and metabolism. Mol Nutr Food Res 2007; 51 (8) :939-45.

Yi W, Akoh CC, Fischer J, Krewer G. Absorption of anthocyanins from blueberry extracts by caco-2 human intestinal cell monolayers. J Agric Food Chem 2006; 54 (15) :5651-8.

Bone Health:

Devareddy L, Hooshmand S, Collins JK, Lucas EA, Chai SC, Arjmandi BH. Blueberry prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. J Nutr Biochem 2008; 19 (10) :694-9

Brain Function:

Carey AN, Fisher DR, Rimando AM, Gomes SM, Bielinski DF, Shukitt-Hale B. Stilbenes and anthocyanins reduce stress signaling in BV-2 mouse microglia. J Agric Food Chem 2013; 61 (25):5979-5986.

Rendeiro C, Vauzour D, Rattray M, Waffo-Teguo P, Merillon JM, Butler LT, Williams CM, Spencer JPE. Dietary levels of pure flavonoids improve spatial memory performance and increase hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor. PLoS One 2013; 8 (5):e63535

Khanal RC, Howard LR, Wilkes SE, Rogers TJ, Prior RL. Effect of dietary blueberry pomace on selected metabolic factors associated with high fructose feeding in growing sprague-dawley rats. J Med Food. 2012; 15:802-810.

Rendeiro C, Vauzour D, Kean RJ, Butler LT, Rattray M, Spencer JPE, Williams CM. Blueberry supplementation induces spatial memory improvements and region-specific regulation of hippocampal BCNF mRNA expression in young rats. Psychopharmacology 2012; 223:319-330.

Shukitt-Hale B, Lau FC, Cheng V, Luskin K, Carey AN, Carrihill-Knoll K, Rabin BM, Joseph JA. Changes in gene expression in the rat hippocampus following exposure to 56Fe particles and protection by berry diets. Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2013; 13 (1):36-42.

Tremblay F, Waterhouse J, Nason J, Kalt W. Prophylactic neuroprotection by blueberry-enriched diet in a rat model of light-induced retinopathy. J Nutr Biochem. 2013; 24 (4):647-655.

McGuire SO, Sortwell CE, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA, Henja MJ, Collier TJ. Dietary supplementation with blueberry extract improves survival of transplanted dopamine neruons. Nutr Neurosci. 2006; 9 (5/6):251-258.

Miller MG, Shukitt-Hale B. Berry fruit enhances beneficial signaling in the brain. J Ag Food Chem. 2012; 60 (23):5709-5715.

Cancer:

Ravoori S, Vadhanam MV, Aqil F, Gupta RC. Inhibition of estrogen-mediated mammary tumorigenesis by blueberry and black raspberry. J Ag Food Chem. 2012; 60 (22):5547-5555.

Adams LS, Kanaya N, Phung S, Liu Z, Chen S. Whole blueberry powder modulates the growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast tumors in nude mice. J Nutr. 2011; 141 (10): 1805-1812.

Adams LS, Phung S, Yee N, Seeram NP, Li L, Chen S. Blueberry phytochemicals inhibit growth and metastatic potential of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through modulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. Cancer Res. 2010; 70 (9) :3594-3605.

Aiyer HS, Gupta RC. Berries and ellagic acid prevent estrogen-induced mammary tumorigenesis by modulating enzymes of estrogen metabolism. Cancer Prev Res. 2010; 3 (6) :727-737.

Gordillo G, Fang H, Khanna S, Harper J, Phillips G, Sen CK. Oral administration of blueberry inhibits angiogenic tumor growth and enhances survival of mice with endothelial cell neoplasm. Antioxid Redox Signal 2009; 11 (1) :47-58.

Cardiovascular/Lipids:

Rodriguez-Mateos A, Ishisaka A, Mawatari K, Vidal-Diez A, Spencer JPE. Blueberry intervention improves vascular reactivity and lowers blood pressure in high-fat-, high-cholesterol-fed rats. Br J Nutr. 2013, 109 (10):1746-1754.

Cassidy A, Mukamal KJ, Liu L, Franz M, Eliassen AH, Rimm EB. High anthocyanin intake is associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction in young and middle-aged women. Circulation 2013, 127 (2):188-196.

Coban J, Evran B, Ozkan F, Cefik A, Dogru-Abbasoglu S, Uysal M. Effect of blueberry feeding on lipids and oxidative stress in the serum, liver and aorta of guinea pigs fed on a high-cholesterol diet. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2013;77 (2):389-391

Yuji K, Sakaida H, Kai T, Fukuda N, Yukizaki C, Sakai M, Tsubouchi H, Kataoka H. Effect of dietary blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) leaves on serum and hepatic lipid levels in rats. J Oleo Sci. 2013; 62 (2):89-96.

Horrigan LA, Holohan CA, Lawless GA, Murtagh MA, Williams CT, Webster CM. Blueberry juice causes potent relaxation of rat aortic rings via the activation of potassium channels and the H2S pathway. Food Funct. 2013; 4(3);392-400

Composition:

Li C, Feng J, Huang W, An X. Composition of polyphenols and antioxidant activity of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) in Manjing. J Agric Food Chem 2013; 61 (3):523-531.

Pallas LA, Pegg RB, Kerr WL. Quality factors, antioxidant activity, and sensory properties of jet-tube dried rabbiteye blueberries. J Sci Food Agric. 2013; 93(8):1887-1897.

Rodriguez-Mateos A, Cifuentes-Gomez T, Tabatabaee S, Lecras C, Spencer JPE. Procyanidin, anthocyanin, and chlorogenic acid contents of highbush and lowbush blueberries. J Ag Food Chem. 2012; 60 (23):5709-5715.

Wan C, Yuan T, Cirello AL, Seeram NP. Antioxidant and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory phenolics isolated from highbush blueberry flowers. Food Chem. 2012; 135 (3); 1929-1937.

Muller D, Schantz M, Richling E. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of anthocyanins in bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), and corresponding juices. J Food Sci. 2012; 77 (4): C340-345.

Diabetes/Insulin Resistance:

Khanal RC, Howard LR, Wilkes SE, Rogers TJ, Prior RL. Effect of dietary blueberry pomace on selected metabolic factors associated with high fructose feeding in growing Sprague-Dawley rats. J Med Foods. 2012; 15 (9); 802-810.

Stull AJ, Cash KC, Johnson WD, Champagne CM, Cefalu WT. Bioactives in blueberries improve insulin sensitivity in obese, insulin-resistant men and women. J Nutr, 2010, 140: (10) 1764-1768.

Wedick NM, Pan A, Cassidy A, Rimm EB, Sampson L, Rosner B, Willett W, Hu FB, Sun Q, van Dam RM. Dietary flavonoid intakes and risk of type 2 diabetes in US men and women. Am J Nutr Nutr. 2010; 95 (4): 925-933.

Draelos AD, Yatskayer M, Raab S, Oresajo C. An evaluation of the effect of a topical product containing C-xyloside and blueberry extract on the appearance of type II diabetic skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009, 8:147-151.

Seymour EM, Tanone II Urcuyo-Llanes DE, Lewis SK, Kirakosyan A, Kondoleon MG, Kaufman PB, Bolling SF. Blueberry intake alters skeletal muscle and adipose tissue peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activity and reduces insulin resistance in obese rats. J Med Food. 2011, 14: (12):1511-1518.

Exercise:

McAnulty LS, Nieman DC, Dumke CL, Shooter LA, Henson DA, Utter AC, Milne G, McAnulty SR. Effect of blueberry ingestion on natural killer cell counts, oxidative stress, and inflammation prior to and after 2.5h of running. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2011, 36:(6) 976-984.

Hurst RD, Wells RW, Hurst SM, McGhie TK, Cooney JM, Jensen DJ. Blueberry fruit polyphenolics suppress oxidative stress-induced skeletal muscle cell damage in vitro. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010, 54: (3) :353-363.

McAnulty SR, McAnulty LS, Nieman DC, Dumke CL, Morrow JD, Utter AC, Henson DA, Proulx WR, George GL. Consumption of blueberry polyphenols reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress compared to vitamin C. Nutr Res 2004; 24 (3) :209-21.

Food Safety:

Horm KM, Davidson M, Harte FM, D’Souza DH. Survival and inactivation of human norovirus surrogates in blueberry juice by high-pressure homogenization. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2012; 9 (11):974-979.

Kim C, Hung Y. Inactivation of E. coli 0157:H7 on blueberries by electrolyzed water, ultraviolet light, and ozone. J Food Sci. 2012; 77 (4): M206-211.

Kim TJ, Corbitt MP, Silva JL, Wang DS, Jung Y, Spencer B. Optimization of hot water treatment for removing microbial colonies on fresh blueberry surface. J Food Sci. 2011; 76: (6):M353-M360.

Park YJ, Biswas R, Phillips RD, Chen J. Antibacterial activities of blueberry and muscadine phenolic extracts. J Food Sci. 2011; 76 (2): M101-M105.

Gut Health:

Paturi G, Mandimika T, Butts CA, Zhu S, Roy NC, McNabb WC, Ansell J. Influence of dietary blueberry and broccoli on cecal microbiota activity and colon morphology in mdr 1a-/- mice, a model of inflammatory bowel diseases. Nutrition 2012; 28 (3): 324-330.

Osman N, Adawi D, Ahrne S, Jeppsson B, Molin G. Probiotics and blueberry attenuate the severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Dig Dis Sci 2008; 53 (9) :2464-73.

Liver:

Bingul I, Basaran-Kucukgergin C, Tekkesin MS, Olgac V, Dogru-Abbasoglu S, Uysal M. Effect of blueberry pretreatment on diethylnitrosamine-induced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2013, 36 (2):529-538.

Wang Y, Cheng M, Zhang B, Mu M, Wu J. Effects of blueberry on hepatic fibrosis and transcription factor Nrf2 in rats. World J Gastroent. 2010, 16: (21): 2657-2663

Wang Y, Cheng M, Zhang B, Mu M, Zhou M, Wu J, Li C. Effect of blueberry on hepatic and immunological functions in mice. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int. 2010, 9: (2):164-168.

Takeshita M, Ishida Y, Akamatsu E, Ohmori Y, Sudoh M, Uto H, Tsubouchi H, Kataoka H. Proanthocyanidin from blueberry leaves suppresses expression of subgenomic hepatitis C virus RNA. J Biol Chem 2009; 284 (32) :21165-21176.

Obesity:

Moghe SS, Juma S, Imrhan V, Vijayagopal P. Effect of blueberry polyphenols on 3T3-F442A preadipocyte differentiation. J Med Food. 2012; 15 (5):448-452.

Prior RL, Wilkes SE, Rogers TR, Khanal RC, Wu X, Howard LR. Purified blueberry anthocyanins and blueberry juice alter development of obesity in mice fed an obesogenic high-fat diet. J Agric Food Chem. 2010; 58 (7) :3970-3976.

Molan AL, Lila MA, Mawson J. Satiety in rats following blueberry extract consumption induced by appetite-suppressing mechanisms unrelated to in vitro or in vivo antioxidant capacity. Food Chem 2008; 107 (3) :1039-44.

Urinary Tract Health:

Jepson RG, Craig JC. A systematic review of the evidence for cranberries and blueberries in UTI prevention. Mol Nutr Food Res 2007; 51 (6) :738-45.

Howell AB, Vorsa N., Marderosian AD, Foo LY. Inhibition of the adherence of p-fimbriated Escherichia coli to uroepithelial-cell surfaces by proanthocyanidin extracts from cranberries. N Engl J Med 1998; 339(15) :1085-86.

Ofek I, Goldhar J, Sharon N. Anti-escherichia coli adhesin activity of cranberry and blueberry juices. Adv Exp Med Biol 1996; 408 :179-83.

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