Vaccinium spp.

Blueberry/Drug Interactions:

  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: Blueberry extracts inhibited both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in in vitro studies (11). In vitro, quercetin, a constituent found in blueberries, bound to DNA gyrase (48). The authors suggested that this may interfere with antibiotic effects.
  • AnticholinergicsAnticholinergics: In theory, ingesting blueberries may alter the functioning of cholinergic receptors and neurons (24; 15; 49; 50; 10).
  • AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: Preliminary clinical studies suggested that extracts containing blueberry lowered plasma glucose levels in diabetic women (16). In vitro studies have shown that blueberry extract increased glucose transport (34) and that fermented extracts of blueberry plants enhanced glucose transport into insulin-sensitive muscle and fat cells (35). In vitro, blueberry extracts have also been found to strongly inhibit alpha-glucosidase and partially inhibit alpha-amylase (51). Although blueberries have been shown to have antidiabetic effects, they contain sugars that may increase blood glucose.
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Invitro, pterostilbenes in blueberries reduced cholesterol and other lipids by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha), which is thought to interact with lipid-lowering drugs such as fibrates (43).

    • Blueberry /Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Blueberry extracts inhibited both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in in vitro studies (11). In vitro, quercetin, found in blueberries, bound to the DNA gyrase (48). The authors suggested that this may interfere with antibiotic effects.
  • AnticholinergicsAnticholinergics: In theory, ingesting blueberries may alter the functioning of cholinergic receptors and neurons (24; 15; 49; 50; 10).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Invitro, pterostilbenes in blueberries reduced cholesterol and other lipids by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha), which is thought to interact with lipid-lowering drugs such as fibrates (43).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: Preliminary clinical studies suggested that extracts containing blueberry lowered plasma glucose levels in diabetic women (16). In vitro studies have shown that blueberry extract increased glucose transport (34) and that fermented extracts of blueberry plants enhanced glucose transport into insulin-sensitive muscle and fat cells (35). In vitro, blueberry extracts have also been found to strongly inhibit alpha-glucosidase and partially inhibit alpha-amylase (51). Although blueberries have been shown to have antidiabetic effects, they contain sugars that may increase blood glucose.

    • Blueberry /Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Blueberry /Lab Interactions:

  • Alkaline phosphataseAlkaline phosphatase: In animal research, 5% blueberry supplementation lowered mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase (27).
  • Blood glucoseBlood glucose: Preliminary clinical studies suggested that extracts containing blueberry lowered plasma glucose levels in diabetic women (16). Although blueberries have been shown to have antidiabetic effects, they contain sugars that may increase blood glucose.
  • C-reactive proteinC-reactive protein: Preliminary clinical research has shown that blueberry extract, with and without other agents, decreased plasma levels of C-reactive protein (16; 14).
  • CholesterolCholesterol: In vitro studies have shown that blueberry pterostilbenes and fibrates, which lower lipids, both activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) (43).
  • Collagen type ICollagen type I: In animal research, 5% blueberry supplementation lowered mRNA levels of collagen type I (27).
  • Digital imagingDigital imaging: Ingesting blueberries may provide contrast for some magnetic resonance images MRIs (52; 53; 54; 55).
  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): In children with type 1 diabetes, the combination of blueberries and sea buckthorn concentrate resulted in reduced HbA1c (36).
  • OsteocalceinOsteocalcein: In animal research, 5% blueberry supplementation lowered mRNA levels of serum osteocalcein (27).
  • Tartrate-resistant acid phosphataseTartrate-resistant acid phosphatase: In animal research, 5% blueberry supplementation lowered mRNA levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (27).