Blueberry and cardiovascular disease risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Miraghajani M, Momenyan S, Arab A, Hasanpour Dehkordi A, Symonds ME

Complementary therapies in medicine · September 1, 2020

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity that can be prevented by the consumption of healthy foods. These include blueberry, a dark coloured berry containing extremely high amounts of functional ingredients. We examined the extent to which supplementation with blueberry affects CVD risk indices. All randomized and controlled clinical trials using blueberry supplements to modify CVD risk factors were included; 11 studies were included in the final analysis. Pooled effect size showed that supplementation with blueberry had a small insignificant effect in reducing plasma triglycerides. Subgroup analysis suggested a favourable impact of blueberry on reducing body weight, with significant weight loss indicated from studies with a follow up of more than 6 weeks or with blueberry powder or freeze-dried blueberry. Current evidence is insufficient to show a benefit of blueberry supplements in modifying CVD risk factors across a variety of adult populations; larger studies are required.

PMID: 33066847 · DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102389