Scientific Research

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) funds research studies that are grounded in sound science, use rigorous methodology, and are conducted by autonomous researchers at well-established institutions. All published research is submitted to peer-reviewed journals by the researcher, independent of the USHBC.

Explore the full overview of research specifically funded by the USHBC, and examine the full body of evidence on blueberry science by browsing the research topics below.

Chronic and postprandial effect of blueberries on cognitive function, alertness, and mood in participants with metabolic syndrome – results from a six-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Peter J Curtis, Vera van der Velpen, Lindsey Berends, Amy Jennings, Laura Haag, Anne-Marie Minihane, Preeti Chandra, Colin D Kay, Eric B Rimm, Aedín Cassidy
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Blueberry juice augments exercise-induced neuroprotection in a Parkinson’s disease model through modulation of GDNF levels

Castro SL, Tapias V, Gathagan R, Emes A, Brandon TE, Smith AD
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Protective Effects of a Polyphenol-Rich Blueberry Extract on Adult Human Neural Progenitor Cells

Zheng T, Bielinski DF, Fisher DR, Zhang J, Shukitt-Hale B.
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Blueberry Supplementation Effects on Neuronal and Pathological Biomarkers in Subjects at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Study

P M Doraiswamy, M G Miller, C A Hellegers, A Nwosu, J Choe, D M Murdoch
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Blueberry benefits to cognitive function across the lifespan

Lynne Bell, Claire M Williams
Int J Food Sci Nutr . 2021 Aug;72(5):650-652. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2020.1852192.
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Effect of blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) extract on depressive-like behavior and metabolic serum alterations in lipopolysaccharide-challenged mice

Solange Vega Custódio, Luiza Spohr, Natália Pontes Bona, Anita Avila de Souza, Bernardo de Moraes Meine, Sara Keske, Karina Pereira Luduvico, Fernando Lopez Alvez, Roselia Maria Spanevello, Francieli Moro Stefanello, Mayara Sandrielly Pereira Soares
J Food Biochem . 2021 Oct;45(10):e13920. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.13920
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Blueberry Supplementation in Midlife for Dementia Risk Reduction

Robert Krikorian, Matthew R. Skelton, Suzanne S. Summer, Marcelle D. Shidler, Patrick G. Sullivan
Nutrients. 2022 Apr 13; 14(8):1619
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Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) study: Rationale, design and baseline characteristics of a randomized control trial of the MIND diet on cognitive decline

Xiaoran Liu, Martha Clare Morris, Klodian Dhana, Jennifer Ventrelle, Kathleen Johnson, Louise Bishop, Chiquia S Hollings, Adrianna Boulin, Nancy Laranjo, Benjamin J Stubbs, Xavier Reilly, Vincent J Carey, Yamin Wang, Jeremy D Furtado, Santica M Marcovina, Christy Tangney, Neelum T Aggarwal, Konstantinos Arfanakis, Frank M Sacks, Lisa L Barnes
Contemp Clin Trials. 2021 Mar;102:106270.
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Blueberry phenolics are associated with cognitive enhancement in supplemented healthy older adults

Rutledge GA, Sandhu AK, Miller MG, Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman BB, Shukitt-Hale B.
Food Funct. 2021 Jan 7;12(1):107-118.
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