Blueberries are rich in polyphenols, and their effect on cardiovascular health has been investigated in interventional studies. However, the difference between blueberry treatments in varied forms for their cardiovascular-protective effect remains poorly understood. That is why a new study has assessed the effects of whole blueberry and freeze-dried blueberry powder compared to a control on cardiovascular health in young adults.
A cross-over randomized controlled trial was implemented with one week of treatment for three treatment groups, each followed by 1 week of wash out period. Various element concentrations were compared following fresh blueberry, freeze-dried blueberry powder, and control treatments.
The study showed no effect of consuming either blueberry or blueberry powder daily for one week on blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, lipid profile, glucose control, and plasma nitrites levels. This suggested no difference between whole blueberry and freeze-dried blueberry powder consumption for improving cardiovascular health within this time frame and dosage.
However, the potential effect on NO2− levels suggested a longer intervention duration might be needed. Controlling for other covariates at the baseline, including gender, BMI, age group, and ethnicity, and the investigation of the bioavailability for different forms of blueberry interventions are also suggested for future studies to better
understand how each co-factor contributes to the vascular-protective effect following a dietary blueberry intervention