Blueberries could improve immunity and gut health in young children
New research from Colorado Anschutz University (CU Anschutz) suggests that introducing blueberries to infants as one of their first solid foods could help strengthen their immune system, reduce allergy symptoms, and promote healthy gut development.
Published in Nutrients and Frontiers in Nutrition, the study is the first of its kind to rigorously evaluate the effects of a specific food—blueberries—on children’s health through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
But how should blueberries be incorporated into a child’s diet? To do so safely, the study authors recommend offering them as a puree. For one-year-olds and toddlers aged one to three, the blueberries should be mashed or cut into small pieces to avoid the risk of choking.
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“For parents starting to wean their babies, it’s incredibly difficult to find solid, research-backed advice on what foods to introduce,” said lead author Minghua Tang, PhD, adjunct associate professor of pediatrics in the Nutrition Section at CU Anschutz Medical School, in a statement released by the university.
“This study is a critical first step in filling that gap by providing real data on how a specific food like blueberries can improve infant health,” she added.
Use of freeze-dried blueberries
CU Anschutz reported that the study followed 61 infants in the Denver area, ranging in age from five to 12 months. Each day, participants consumed either freeze-dried cranberry powder or a placebo powder without cranberries. Parents could feed their children as usual, simply adding the powder to their daily routine.
Researchers collected stool and blood samples every two months to monitor changes in gut microbiota, immune system biomarkers, and allergy-related outcomes. They also recorded growth and eating habits.
Key findings
The study revealed an improvement in allergy symptoms in infants who consumed blueberry powder (the symptoms were pre-existing and not caused by blueberry consumption), as well as a reduction in inflammation, signs of a stronger immune response, and positive changes in the gut microbiota, all considered beneficial for immune health.
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“This research supports the idea that blueberries offer significant health benefits,” said Tang, who is also a researcher at the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) at CU Anschutz and at Colorado State University.
“Just a few blueberries a day could make a difference in long-term health support. We consider infancy a critical window of opportunity, and what we introduce at this stage can have lasting effects as children grow,” she told CU Anschutz.
Researchers believe it is important to continue exploring what other early foods might help promote a healthy gut microbiota and a strong immune system as babies grow, in order to provide better guidance to parents.
Source: www.portalfruticola.com
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