Blackmores Institute

<h3>Research update </h3> When this article was first published, the researchers noted that their next step would be to investigate whether blueberry supplementation could benefit a younger group of adults aged 50 to 65 years who were at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Several years later, the team followed through on this research direction, publishing a randomised controlled trial focused on dementia risk reduction in middle age.   The study enrolled 33 overweight men and women aged 50 to 65 years with insulin resistance and subjective cognitive decline, both of which are associated with an increased risk of future dementia. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either daily blueberry supplementation or a placebo. Compared with the placebo group, participants receiving blueberries showed improvements in measures of executive function measures, including lexical access and improved resistance to memory interference. They also reported fewer difficulties with memory encoding in everyday activities. In addition, blueberry supplementation was associated with improvements in hyperinsulinaemia, a metabolic risk factor linked to cognitive decline.1  More recently, a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from nine randomised controlled trials involving 513 older adults with mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline. The review found that blueberry consumption was associated with improvements in episodic memory, with additional benefits for language performance observed in participants with mild cognitive impairment, providing further support for the potential role of blueberry-rich diets in healthy cognitive ageing.2  Furthermore, a 2025 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial investigated the acute effects of different doses of wild blueberry anthocyanins in 24 healthy adults. The researchers found that medium and high anthocyanin doses (300 mg and 450 mg) reduced postprandial glucose and insulin responses while higher doses (450 mg) increased glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a key hormone involved in appetite regulation and glucose metabolism, alongside other satiety-related hormones such as peptide YY (PYY). Although no cognitive benefits were observed in this young, healthy population, the findings provide further insight into the potential metabolic mechanisms through which blueberries may support long-term health outcomes.3 <h3>Original article (2016)</h3>The blueberry, already labelled a 'super fruit' for its power to potentially lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, also could be another weapon in the war against Alzheimer's disease according to new research. The fruit is loaded with healthful antioxidants, and these substances could help prevent the devastating effects of this increasingly common form of dementia, scientists at the 251st National Meeting &amp; Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) reported this month. The ACS is the world's largest scientific society."Our new findings corroborate those of previous animal studies and preliminary human studies, adding further support to the notion that blueberries can have a real benefit in improving memory and cognitive function in some older adults," says Robert Krikorian, Ph.D., leader of the blueberry research team. He adds that blueberries' beneficial effects could be due to flavonoids called anthocyanins, which have been shown to improve animals' cognition.Currently 5.3 million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease. But that number is expected to increase, Dr Krikorian notes, as the U.S. population ages. By 2025, the number of Americans with this degenerative disorder could rise 40 percent to more than 7 million, and it could almost triple by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association.In an effort to find ways to slow down this alarming trend, Dr Krikorian and colleagues at University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center conducted two human studies to follow up on earlier clinical trials.One study involved 47 adults aged 68 and older, who had mild cognitive impairment, a risk condition for Alzheimer's disease. The researchers gave them either freeze-dried blueberry powder, which is equivalent to a cup of berries, or a placebo powder once a day for 16 weeks."There was improvement in cognitive performance and brain function in those who had the blueberry powder compared with those who took the placebo," Dr Krikorian says. "The blueberry group demonstrated improved memory and improved access to words and concepts." The team also conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which showed increased brain activity in those who ingested the blueberry powder.The second study included 94 people aged 62 to 80, who were divided into four groups. The participants didn't have objectively measured cognitive issues, but they subjectively felt their memories were declining. The groups received blueberry powder, fish oil, fish oil and powder or placebo."The results were not as robust as with the first study," Dr Krikorian explained."Cognition was somewhat better for those with powder or fish oil separately, but there was little improvement with memory." Also, fMRI results also were not as striking for those receiving blueberry powder. He says that the effect may have been smaller in this case because these participants had less severe issues when they entered the study.Dr Krikorian said the two studies indicate that blueberries may be more effective in treating patients with cognitive impairments, but may not show measurable benefit for those with minor memory issues or who have not yet developed cognitive problems.In the future, the team plans to conduct a blueberry study with a younger group of people, aged 50 to 65. The group would include people at risk of developing Alzheimer's, such as those who are obese, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. This work could help the researchers determine if blueberries could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms.Dr Krikorian acknowledges funding from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the National Institute on Aging and Wild Blueberries of North America.References <h3></h3>1 Krikorian R, Skelton MR, Summer SS, Shidler MD, Sullivan PG. Blueberry supplementation in midlife for dementia risk reduction. Nutrients. 2022;14(8):1619. doi:10.3390/nu14081619 2 Nardelli da Silva AB, Moraes de Oliveira G, Gallo Ruelas M, Martins Gadelha MSM, Felix de Farias Santos ACF, Valeriano Zamora F. Blueberries for brainpower: a systematic review and meta-analysis with Bayesian post hoc analysis of RCTs exploring cognitive function in the elderly with prior cognitive decline. Biogerontology. 2025;26:171. doi:10.1007/s10522-025-10308-w.  3 Ellis LR, O'Connor D, Khan H, Dye L, Boesch C. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the postprandial dose-dependent effects of wild blueberries on metabolic and cognitive outcomes following a high-carbohydrate breakfast. Eur J Nutr. 2026;65:138. doi:10.1007/s00394-026-03974-0. 4 251st National Meeting &amp; Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Editor’s Note – Updated October 2026: This article was originally published in 2016. Since then, follow-up research from the same investigators has explored whether blueberry supplementation may support cognitive health in younger adults at increased risk of dementia. More recent evidence, including a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis, has also expanded our understanding of the potential role of blueberries in healthy cognitive ageing. <h3>Key highlights </h3><h3></h3><ul><li>Evidence continues to highlight the potential role of blueberries in supporting cognitive health and healthy brain ageing, with growing evidence linking cognitive and metabolic health. </li><li>Follow-up research from the same investigators found blueberry supplementation improved executive function, memory-related performance, and metabolic markers.</li><li>Recent 2026 research suggests blueberry anthocyanins may help modulate postprandial glucose responses and increase GLP-1, a key hormone involved in appetite regulation and glucose metabolism.</li><li>A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis reported improvements in episodic memory and language-related outcomes in older adults with cognitive decline.</li></ul>

Key highlights

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