A new review paper,[i] “Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins,” explores the scientific literature on blueberries’ potential health benefits. Published in Advances in Nutrition, the paper also looks at the research on anthocyanins (163.3 mg/100 g of blueberries) – the polyphenol (plant compound), that give blueberries their vibrant blue color. The paper acknowledges that while more clinical research is needed, the ways is which blueberry consumption contributes to a healthy diet are becoming more clear.
The paper was authored by Wilhelmina Kalt, PhD, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Aedin Cassidy, PhD, University of East Anglia; Luke R. Howard, PhD, University of Arkansas; Robert Krikorian, PhD, University of Cincinnati; April J. Stull, PhD, RD, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Francois Tremblay, PhD, Dalhousie University; and Raul Zamora-Ros, PhD, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL). The authors reviewed results from human clinical studies as well as in vitro studies and animal research. Over half of the nearly 200 papers cited in the review were published in the last decade.
“This review of research findings will help consumers, healthcare providers and the food and health industry understand the current state of knowledge on blueberries and health,” said Wilhelmina Kalt, PhD, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada (retired), the paper’s lead editor. “The paper also discusses gaps where more research is needed to better understand how blueberries affect health.”
The review paper was funded by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). The USHBC had no role in the design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the paper. For more information on blueberry nutrition research visit blueberrycouncil.org/health-professionals/health-research/.
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About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is an agriculture promotion group, representing blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at blueberrycouncil.org.
[i] Wilhelmina Kalt, Aedin Cassidy, Luke R. Howard, Robert Krikorian, April J. Stull, Francois Tremblay, Raul Zamora-Ros, Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins, Advances in Nutrition, , nmz065, https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz065.
