A new clinical trial shows early blueberry consumption may reduce allergy symptoms and support long-term health in babies
Feeding blueberries to infants as one of their first solid foods may help strengthen their immune systems, reduce allergy symptoms and support healthy gut development, according to new research from the University of Colorado Anschutz.
To safely introduce blueberries to babies, the study's authors recommend pureeing them for younger infants. For older babies and toddlers, blueberries should be mashed or cut into small pieces to eliminate choking hazards.
Published in Nutrients and Frontiers in Nutrition, the study is the first of its kind to rigorously test the effects of a specific food, blueberries, on infant health using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
"For parents beginning to wean their infants, it's incredibly difficult to find solid, research-backed advice on what foods to introduce," said senior author Minghua Tang, PhD, adjoint associate professor of pediatrics in the CU Anschutz School of Medicine's Section of Nutrition. "This study is a critical first step in filling that gap by offering real data on how a specific food like blueberries can improve your infant's health."
The study used freeze-dried blueberry powder
The study followed 61 infants in the Denver area from five to 12 months of age. Each day, participants consumed either freeze-dried blueberry powder, or a placebo powder with no blueberries. Parents were free to feed their children as they normally would, simply adding the powder to their daily routine.
Researchers collected stool and blood samples every two months to monitor changes in the infants' gut bacteria, immune system biomarkers and allergy-related outcomes. They also tracked growth and dietary habits.
Key findings include:
- Improved allergy symptoms in infants who consumed blueberry powder (symptoms were pre-existing and not caused by blueberries).
- Reduced inflammation and signs of a stronger immune response.
- Positive shifts in gut microbiota, with changes considered beneficial for immune health.
"This research supports the idea that blueberries offer meaningful health benefits," said Tang, who is also a researcher at the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) at CU Anschutz and Colorado State University. "Just a few blueberries a day could make a difference in supporting long-term health. We view infancy as a critical window of opportunity and what we introduce during this time can have lasting effects as children grow."
The researchers believe it's important to continue to explore what other early foods might help support healthy gut bacteria and a strong immune system as babies grow to ensure there's better guidance in place for parents.
