Vaccinium angustifolium

Related Terms

3,4-Caffeoylquinic (chlorogenic) acid, anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-beta-arabinose, cyanidin-3-O-beta-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-beta galactoside, malvidin-3-O-beta-arabinose, malvidin-3-O-beta-galactoside, malvidin-3-O-beta-glucoside, and peonidin-3-O-beta-arabinose), Blue Ridge blueberry, bluecrop, blueray, Brightblue, Brightwell, Canadian blueberry, Cape Fear, carotenoids (zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin), Caucasian blueberry, Chai Cherniki, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acids, cultivated blueberry, cyanidin, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, Cyanococcus, delphinidin-3-arabinoside, delphinidin-3-galactoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, diabetic tea, ellagic acid, flavan-3-ol monomer (+)-catechin, flavan-3-ol monomer (-)-epicatechin, Friendship, Gulf Coast blueberry, half-high, highbush blueberry, high-bush blueberry, iron, Jersey blueberry, lowbush blueberry, low-bush blueberry, malvidin-3-arabinoside, methoxyl pectin, myricetin-3-arabinoside, myrtillin, Northblue, northern highbush, Northland, O'Neal, ortho-benzoyloxyphenyl acetic acid ester, patriot blueberry, peonidin, phenolics (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, ellagitannins, gallotannins, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, petunidin-3-galactoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, piceatannol, Polaris, Powderblue, proanthocyanidins, procyanidin, pterostilbene, quercetin-3-arabinoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, rabbit-eye blueberry, raisin-type lowbush blueberry, resveratrol, southern highbush, Star, stilbenes, Tifblue, Top Hat, triterpenoids (ursolic acid and its esters), V. angustifolium, V. angustifolium Ait., V. boreale, V. caesariense, V. corymbosum, V. darrowii, V. elliottii, V. formosum, V. fuscatum, V. hirsutum, V. koreanum, V. myrsinite, V. myrtilloides, V. pallidum, V. simulatum, V. tenellum, V. virgatum, vaccihein A, Vaccinium, Vaccinium arctostaphylos, Vaccinium ashei, velvet leaf blueberry, wild blueberry.
Note: The family Ericaceae contains the genus Vaccinium, which includes a section called Cyanococcus, composed of several species of blueberries. Other species of Vaccinium, however, are not included in the section Cyanococcus. They include cranberries, huckleberries, bilberries, and deerberries.
Selected combination products: BlueberinT (blueberry extract, chlorogenic acid, myristic acid), BlueBerry, Maxim01 Solutions?, OptiBerry?, Radical Fruits?, TrueBlue?, Evelle.

Background

Blueberries are native to North America but are now grown around the world. Native Americans ate blueberries, and by drying them in the sun and sometimes pulverizing them, they were able to use them throughout the year. In addition to the fruit, blueberry roots and leaves were also used in teas, particularly to help women relax during childbirth. Native Americans introduced Europeans to this fruit.
Blueberries have high antioxidant levels due to the presence of anthocyanins, which are the pigments many plants produce to attract the birds and insects necessary for pollination. Lowbush (wild) blueberries have higher levels of certain antioxidant compounds than highbush varieties.
In addition to antioxidant properties, limited research suggests that blueberries may also provide anti-inflammatory effects and help maintain the health of the brain. Also, according to limited studies, BlueberinT, which contains extract from blueberry plants and components from bayberry, as well as a combination of blueberry and sea buckthorn, may help manage diabetes. At this time, however, there is a lack of human evidence in support of any clinical use of blueberries. Further research is required.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Results from preliminary studies suggest that consuming blueberries, including freeze-dried blueberries, increases antioxidants in the blood. However, the processing of blueberries into juices may degrade some of those properties, as similar results were not found in all studies. Further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 B


Results from preliminary studies suggest that consuming blueberries, including freeze-dried blueberries, increases antioxidants in the blood. However, the processing of blueberries into juices may degrade some of those properties, as similar results were not found in all studies. Further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 B


The effect of blueberries on cardiovascular disease risk factors is not clear, due to a lack of well-designed studies. Further research is required.

 C


The effect of blueberries on cardiovascular disease risk factors is not clear, due to a lack of well-designed studies. Further research is required.

 C


Limited research suggests that blueberries may be useful in lowering glucose (blood sugar) or modifying other factors associated with diabetes. However, blueberries may increase blood sugar levels. Further research is required before blueberry may be suggested for individuals with diabetes.

 C


Limited research suggests that blueberries may be useful in lowering glucose (blood sugar) or modifying other factors associated with diabetes. However, blueberries may increase blood sugar levels. Further research is required before blueberry may be suggested for individuals with diabetes.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
In general, blueberries are widely eaten as a food; however, dosing information on the medicinal use of blueberries is limited.
For antioxidant uses, 189 grams of frozen, wild blueberries has been dissolved in 315 milliliters of water and given by mouth as a juice. One cup of blueberries has been given by mouth daily for 14 days. A supplement containing 100 grams of freeze-dried Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberries) has been given by mouth as a one-time dose. A single dose of 500 milliliters of blueberry juice has been given by mouth.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Blueberries may affect blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Blueberries may interact with antibiotics, anticholinergic (nerve signal-blocking), and antilipemic (lipid-lowering) agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Gebhardt, C., Vieths, S., Gubesch, M., Averbeck, M., Simon, J. C., and Treudler, R. 10 kDa lipid transfer protein: the main allergenic structure in a German patient with anaphylaxis to blueberry. Allergy 2009;64(3):498-499.
Hilliard, J. J., Krause, H. M., Bernstein, J. I., Fernandez, J. A., Nguyen, V., Ohemeng, K. A., and Barrett, J. F. A comparison of active site binding of 4-quinolones and novel flavone gyrase inhibitors to DNA gyrase. Adv Exp Med Biol 1995;390:59-69.
Joseph, J. A., Denisova, N. A., Arendash, G., Gordon, M., Diamond, D., Shukitt-Hale, B., and Morgan, D. Blueberry supplementation enhances signaling and prevents behavioral deficits in an Alzheimer disease model. Nutr Neurosci. 2003;6(3):153-162.
Joseph, J. A., Neuman, A., Bielinski, D. F., and Fisher, D. R. Blueberry antagonism of C-2 ceramide disruption of Ca2+ responses and recovery in MAChR-transfected COS-7 cell. J Alzheimers.Dis 2008;15(3):429-441.
Kalt, W., Ryan, D. A., Duy, J. C., Prior, R. L., Ehlenfeldt, M. K., and Vander Kloet, S. P. Interspecific variation in anthocyanins, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity among genotypes of highbush and lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium section cyanococcus spp.). J Agric.Food Chem 2001;49(10):4761-4767.
Kay, C. D. and Holub, B. J. The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on postprandial serum antioxidant status in human subjects. Br.J.Nutr. 2002;88(4):389-398.
Martineau, L. C., Couture, A., Spoor, D., Benhaddou-Andaloussi, A., Harris, C., Meddah, B., Leduc, C., Burt, A., Vuong, T., Mai, Le P., Prentki, M., Bennett, S. A., Arnason, J. T., and Haddad, P. S. Anti-diabetic properties of the Canadian lowbush blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(9-10):612-623.
Marzban, G., Mansfeld, A., Hemmer, W., Stoyanova, E., Katinger, H., and da Camara Machado, M. L. Fruit cross-reactive allergens: a theme of uprising interest for consumers' health. Biofactors 2005;23(4):235-241.
Pedersen, C. B., Kyle, J., Jenkinson, A. M., Gardner, P. T., McPhail, D. B., and Duthie, G. G. Effects of blueberry and cranberry juice consumption on the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy female volunteers. Eur.J.Clin.Nutr. 2000;54(5):405-408.
Prior, R. L., Gu, L., Wu, X., Jacob, R. A., Sotoudeh, G., Kader, A. A., and Cook, R. A. Plasma antioxidant capacity changes following a meal as a measure of the ability of a food to alter in vivo antioxidant status. J Am Coll Nutr 2007;26(2):170-181.
Puupponen-Pimia, R., Nohynek, L., Hartmann-Schmidlin, S., Kahkonen, M., Heinonen, M., Maatta-Riihinen, K., and Oksman-Caldentey, K. M. Berry phenolics selectively inhibit the growth of intestinal pathogens. J Appl Microbiol. 2005;98(4):991-1000.
Rimando, A. M., Nagmani, R., Feller, D. R., and Yokoyama, W. Pterostilbene, a new agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha-isoform, lowers plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. J Agric.Food Chem 5-4-2005;53(9):3403-3407.
Shukitt-Hale, B., Lau, F. C., Carey, A. N., Galli, R. L., Spangler, E. L., Ingram, D. K., and Joseph, J. A. Blueberry polyphenols attenuate kainic acid-induced decrements in cognition and alter inflammatory gene expression in rat hippocampus. Nutr Neurosci. 2008;11(4):172-182.
Vuong, T., Martineau, L. C., Ramassamy, C., Matar, C., and Haddad, P. S. Fermented Canadian lowbush blueberry juice stimulates glucose uptake and AMP-activated protein kinase in insulin-sensitive cultured muscle cells and adipocytes. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2007;85(9):956-965.
Zhu, Y., Bickford, P. C., Sanberg, P., Giunta, B., and Tan, J. Blueberry opposes beta-amyloid peptide-induced microglial activation via inhibition of p44/42 mitogen-activation protein kinase. Rejuvenation.Res 2008;11(5):891-901.