A study of glycaemic effects following acute anthocyanin-rich blueberry supplementation in healthy young adults

Food Funct. 2017 Sep 20;8(9):3104-3110. doi: 10.1039/c7fo00724h.

Abstract

The postprandial response to ingested carbohydrate is recognised as a marker of metabolic health. Postprandial hyperglycaemia is observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cognitive deficits are also associated with type 2 diabetes. Therefore interventions which moderate postprandial glucose profiles are desirable. Here we investigated the impact of anthocyanin-rich wild blueberries on postprandial glucose response. Seventeen healthy young adults consumed a range of doses of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder, in smoothie form, in both sugar-matched and no-added-sugar conditions. Plasma glucose was determined by a capillary sampling method at baseline and at regular intervals up to 2.5 hours postprandially. Blueberries were observed to significantly extend the postprandial glucose response beyond the period observed for a sugar-matched control, characteristic of a beneficial glycaemic response. Furthermore, blueberries were observed to reduce peak postprandial glucose levels, although statistical significance was not achieved. The findings suggest a tempering of the postprandial glucose response in the presence of anthocyanin-rich blueberry, and are discussed with reference to likely glucoregulatory mechanisms of action and their implications for cognitive and type 2 diabetes research.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthocyanins / administration & dosage*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blueberry Plants / chemistry*
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy*
  • Hyperglycemia / metabolism
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents