The benefits of blueberry supplements
Blueberries serve as a raw material in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Blueberries are a source of flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins, antioxidant and phytonutrient compounds studied for anti-inflammatory activity and for helping preserve the elasticity of capillary walls. Blueberries are rich in vitamin B2, C and E, manganese, and soluble and insoluble fibers such as pectin.
Blueberries have a rich content of antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, E, iron, zinc, ellagic acid, and selenium. Some traditional and wellness sources associate blueberry extract with digestive comfort, urinary tract wellness, and skin conditions such as eczema, though these are traditional uses rather than proven treatments, and anyone with such symptoms should see a doctor.
Antioxidants are compounds that help the body manage free radicals, unstable molecules that researchers study in connection with cell aging and chronic disease risk, including cancer.1 Research reports that blueberries can directly increase antioxidant levels in the body.2,3
Epidemiological studies have found associations between regular, moderate intake of blueberries and/or anthocyanins and lower rates of cardiovascular disease, mortality, and type 2 diabetes, as well as better weight maintenance, according to the researchers. A meta-analysis of 6 studies linked higher anthocyanin intake with reduced all-cause mortality risk, an effect the authors attributed mainly to lower cardiovascular mortality.4 Researchers have also reported an association between blueberry antioxidants and lower levels of oxidized LDL, one reason blueberries are popular in heart-conscious diets. Some studies report an association between blueberry consumption and lower rates of heart attack, though correlation in observational studies does not prove cause and effect.5,6
In a placebo-controlled study of 58 diabetic patients, researchers reported that blueberry intake was associated with changes in LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin, and HDL cholesterol.7
Researchers reported improved cognitive performance measures in elderly adults after 12 weeks of daily blueberry intake in one study, and modest memory-related benefits among 39 older adults with cognitive complaints in another.8 Animal studies have looked at how blueberry antioxidants might affect brain regions associated with learning.9,10 Other studies report associations between blueberry/strawberry consumption and delayed measures of mental aging over a six-year period in a large cohort, though this is observational research, not proof that the fruit itself caused the effect.11
Because blueberries are high in antioxidants, researchers have studied whether they can help neutralize free radicals that damage DNA — a process linked to aging and cancer risk. In one study, 168 people who drank 34 ounces (1 liter) of a mixed blueberry and apple juice daily for four weeks were reported to have 20% less oxidative DNA damage.12
Blueberries have also been studied in relation to blood pressure. In an eight-week study, participants with obesity and elevated heart disease risk who consumed 2 ounces (50 grams) of blueberries per day were reported to have a 4–6% reduction in blood pressure.13
Although blueberries provide moderate amounts of natural sugar compared with other fruits, several studies report that their bioactive compounds are associated with improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar measures in study participants — an area of ongoing research rather than a treatment claim.14,15
Some research associates blueberries, related to cranberries, with urinary tract wellness, though this is not a substitute for medical treatment of urinary tract infections.16
Blueberries, rich in anthocyanins and antioxidants, are studied for anti-inflammatory activity and for a possible protective association with liver oxidative stress; some studies suggest an association between blueberry and cranberry consumption and lower fibrosis risk markers, according to the researchers.17,18
Some traditional wellness sources describe blueberries combined with blackcurrants as helpful for menstrual comfort and circulation, and as commonly used around cold season — these remain traditional and anecdotal uses.
Vitamin D3, sometimes paired with blueberries in supplements, is studied for its role in insulin secretion and receptor sensitivity, and thus in glucose balance. Researchers have studied vitamin D’s role in immune modulation in connection with type 1 diabetes risk, and some studies associate vitamin D deficiency with higher diabetes rates. People being treated for diabetes should follow their doctor’s diet and treatment plan closely regardless of supplement use.
People interested in blueberry-based supplements sometimes try our DiaPlus, formulated with blueberry, sea buckthorn, blackcurrant extract, and vitamin D3. DiaPlus is a dietary supplement, not a medical treatment; it should not replace medical care for diarrhea, food-borne illness, irritable bowel syndrome, or Crohn’s disease, all of which require a doctor’s evaluation.
DiaPlus is intended for people without lactose intolerance or an allergy to any of its ingredients, and anyone with a health condition should check with a doctor before use.
Product labeling recommends following the suggested serving of 3 tablets per day (1-1-1) for at least 90 days, with up to 2 tablets three times a day in some cases, followed by a maintenance dose of one tablet daily. DiaPlus has a blueberry and currant flavor and does not contain habit-forming ingredients.
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. One small clinical study reported changes in blood-lipid and antioxidant measures among diabetic patients taking purified anthocyanins; this is a single study, not evidence that the supplement treats or prevents diabetes. 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/
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult a doctor for any health concern.
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