The benefits of blueberry supplements
Blueberries serve as a raw material in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Blueberries are an excellent source of flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins, an antioxidant and phytonutrient that acts as an anti-inflammatory, preserves the elasticity of capillary walls. Blueberries are rich in vitamin B2, C and E, manganese, soluble and insoluble fibers, such as pectin. Blueberries create an alkaline environment in the body, thus helping to maintain a healthy environment without diseases.
Blueberries, also known as the “green insulin”, have a rich content of antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, E, iron, zinc, ellagic acid, selenium, promoting the improvement of the immune system. Blueberries also play a major role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. The blueberry extract is also recommended for enterocolitis, indigestion, intestinal parasitosis, urinary tract infections, as a diuretic effect, but also in rheumatism, dermatological diseases, peripheral circulation disorders or eczema.
They also contribute to the body’s normal protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In addition, it improves eye circulation and normalizes accelerated intestinal transit. Antioxidants in blueberries can protect the body from free radicals and can help with food intake or increased nutrients. Blueberry anthocyanins can help maintain healthy and functional mucous membranes in the stomach and small intestine. Antioxidants protect your body from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to aging and diseases, such as cancer.1 Blueberries have been shown to directly increase antioxidant levels in your body.2,3
Epidemiological studies associate regular, moderate intake of blueberries and/or anthocyanins with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, death, and type 2 diabetes, and with improved weight maintenance and neuroprotection. The association between a higher anthocyanin intake and reduction in all-cause mortality risk in a meta-analysis of 6 studies was principally due to a decreased cardiovascular mortality risk.4 The antioxidants in blueberries are strongly linked to reduced levels of oxidized LDL. This makes blueberries very good for your heart. Some studies show that blueberries also prevent hard endpoints like heart attacks, which are the world’s leading cause of death.5,6
In a placebo-controlled study of 58 diabetic patients, blueberry intake led to a decline in LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and adiponectin and an increase in HDL cholesterol.7
Cognitive performance in elderly adults improved after 12 weeks of daily intake of blueberry. Blueberry intake led to modest benefits in memory performance and subjective improvements in everyday function among 39 older adults with cognitive complaints.8 According to animal studies, the antioxidants in blueberries may affect areas of your brain that are essential for intelligence.9,10 Some other recent studies have also found that in addition to reducing the risk of cognitive damage, blueberries can also improve a person’s short-term memory and motor coordination. A six-year study in over 16,000 older individuals found that blueberries and strawberries were linked to delays in mental aging by up to 2.5 years.11
Because blueberries are high in antioxidants, they can neutralize some of the free radicals that damage your DNA. Several studies suggest that blueberries and blueberry juice reduce DNA damage, which is a leading driver of aging and cancer. In one study, 168 people drank 34 ounces (1 liter) of a mixed blueberry and apple juice daily. After four weeks, oxidative DNA damage due to free radicals was reduced by 20%.12
Blueberries may also lower blood pressure. In an eight-week study, obese people who had had a high risk of heart disease noted a 4–6% reduction in blood pressure after consuming 2 ounces (50 grams) of blueberries per day.13
It is well known that blueberries provide moderate amounts of sugar compared to other fruits. However, the bioactive compounds in blueberries appear to outweigh any negative impact of the sugar when it comes to blood sugar control. Several studies demonstrated that blueberries have anti-diabetes effects, improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels.14,15
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common problem for women and what you might haven’t known is that blueberry, being closely related to cranberries, may help you fight urinary infections.16
Blueberries, rich in anthocyanins and antioxidants, reduce inflammation and protect the liver from oxidative stress. Some studies suggest that blueberries, as well as cranberries, protect against liver damage and reduce the risk of fibrosis.17,18
Blueberries combined with blackcurrants have been shown to have a great effect in diminuating the menstrual pain, stimulating the blood circulation and they are also ideal in the prevention and treatment of colds and E-coli. These fruits taken together also help weight control, stimulate the body’s elimination function and help reduce fatigue and tired legs.
Blueberries combined with vitamin D3 can help prevent type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is well known that vitamin D3 has an important role in insulin secretion and insulin receptor sensitivity, so in maintaining glucose balance in the body. It is very important that diabetics, who are being treated for diabetes, also strictly follow a healthy diet. The duration of treatment will be determined depending on age, the severity of the disease, diet and other factors.
If you feel you could benefit from blueberry supplements, I recommend trying our DiaPlus – enriched with blueberry, sea buckthorn, blackcurrant extract and vitamin D3. This supplement is also very beneficial in case of food poisoning. The best results are obtained 24 hours after the onset of diarrhea, the time required to allow the digestive tract to empty. Very good results have been obtained in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and especially Crohn’s disease (considered incurable).
DiaPlus is recommended for anyone who doesn’t have lactose intolerance or an allergy to any of the active ingredients.
It is recommended to follow the treatment with DiaPlus for a period of at least 90 days, respectively 3 tablets per day (1-1-1). In more severe cases, up to 2 tablets can be administered 3 times a day (2-2-2). Also, after treatment, it is recommended to take one tablet a day as a maintenance dose. Additionally, DiaPlus has a pleasant blueberry and currant flavor and it does not cause addiction.
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC47258/
2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12475297/
3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12323088/
4 Grosso G ,Micek A, Godos J, Pajak A, Sciacca S ,Galvano F, Giovannucci, EL Dietary flavonoid and lignan intake and mortality in prospective cohort studies: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Am J Epidemiol. 2017; 185: 1304–16
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820045/
6 https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death
7 Li D, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Sun R, Xia M. Purified anthocyanin supplementation reduces dyslipidemia, enhances antioxidant capacity, and prevents insulin resistance in diabetic patients. J Nutr. 2015; 145:742–8
8 McNamara RK, Kalt W, Shidler MD, McDonald J, Summer SS, Stein AL, Stover AN, Krikorian R. Cognitive response to fish oil, blueberry, and combined supplementation in older adults with subjective cognitive impairment. Neurobiol Aging. 2018; 64:147–56.
9 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19057194/
10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192974/
11 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ana.23594
12 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17602170/
13 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20660279/
14 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139238/
15 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17261891/
16 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17492798/
17 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23811110/
18 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20382588/