NCT05358210

Effects of Blueberries in Older Adults

The Clinical and Physiological Effects of Blueberry Consumption in Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 61 (actual)
• Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 70 Years – 100 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized, parallel-design trial will evaluate specific clinical and physiological effects of whole blueberries in adults 70 years of age or older.

Detailed description

Although much is already known about the benefits of a healthy diet for the prevention of a wide range of chronic diseases, including the particular health benefits of anthocyanin-rich foods, these effects have been examined with much less frequency in older adults, who tend to be excluded from formal feeding studies and, until recently, have represented a small proportion of ongoing cohort studies. The proposed study will randomize approximately 46 women and 24 men, representative of the proportion of elderly women and men in the U.S. to consume either: 1. 1 cup of frozen blueberries daily for 12 weeks or 2. 2-3 dried dates daily for 12 weeks. Dates were chosen as a control food because they contain negligible polyphenols, proportionately high caloric content, and a convenient form for storage. After the 12-week intervention, researchers will repeat in-person study assessments from baseline.

Conditions

• Blood Pressure
• Orthostatic Hypotension
• Vascular Diseases

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Blueberry Consumption	Participants will consume 1 cup of frozen blueberries daily for the 12 weeks of the intervention. The study dietitian will provide educational materials and monitor compliance through weekly check-ins. Participants will be instructed to avoid all other high-anthocyanin foods including other berries, cherries, currants, cabbage, red wine, and eggplant.
BEHAVIORAL	Dried Date Consumption	Participants will consume 2-3 dried dates daily for the 12 weeks of the intervention, an isocaloric portion of fruit compared to the blueberry group. The study dietitian will provide educational materials and monitor compliance through weekly check-ins. Participants will be instructed to avoid all other high-anthocyanin foods including blueberries, other berries, cherries, currants, cabbage, red wine, and eggplant.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-04-20
• Primary completion: 2024-05-22
• Completion: 2024-05-22
• First posted: 2022-05-03
• Last updated: 2024-07-18

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States