NCT05735587

Blueberries, Inflammation, Motivation, and Physical Activity

Dietary Intervention Targeting Inflammation, Motivation, and Engagement in Physical Activity in Sedentary, Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 33 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hebrew SeniorLife · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of daily supplementation of freeze-dried blueberry to modulate inflammation-driven lack of motivation in 40 sedentary, older adults with depressive symptoms.

Detailed description

The investigators will conduct a 14 week, single-site, randomized, double-blind, parallel pilot study in 40 sedentary, older adults with depressive symptoms. Participants will first enter a 2-week washout period where they will avoid consumption of foods high in fiber and anthocyanins (e.g., blueberries) and will also be wearing an activity monitor. Participants will then be randomized to consume either 48 g of freeze-dried blueberry powder (\~600 mg of anthocyanins and \~8 g of fiber) or 48 g of a nutritionally matched placebo powder (devoid of anthocyanins and fiber) each day for a total of 12 weeks. At baseline, participants will be undergo assessments for mood/well-being, relevant symptoms, motivation to engage in physical activity, and provide a blood sample for the evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers. For the entire duration of the study, participants will continue to wear the activity monitor. After 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of consuming the powder there will be study visits that assess mood/well-being, relevant symptoms, motivation to engage in physical activity and compliance with the intervention. Additionally, a blood sample for the evaluation of inflammatory makers will be taken after 6 and 12 weeks of the intervention.

Conditions

• Depressive Symptoms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder	Participants will be asked to consume 48 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder (\~ equivalent to 2 cups of fresh blueberries) daily for 12 weeks. Participants will be asked to save any powder packet wrappers as a means to measure compliance. They will also be instructed to avoid consumption of foods/beverages that are high in anthocyanins and/or fiber.
OTHER	Placebo Powder	Participants will be asked to consume 48 grams of a nutritionally matched placebo powder (that does not contain fiber or anthocyanins) daily for 12 weeks. Participants will be asked to save any powder packet wrappers as a means to measure compliance. They will also be instructed to avoid consumption of foods/beverages that are high in anthocyanins and/or fiber.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-05
• Primary completion: 2024-07-16
• Completion: 2024-07-16
• First posted: 2023-02-21
• Last updated: 2025-07-30
• Results posted: 2025-07-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States