Wild blueberry (Snoquinium angustifolium) It is a perennial plant of North America. rich Polyphenols, including flavonoids, are beneficial to human health. a new paper Published in a magazine Critical reviews in food science and nutrition We provide an overview of the evidence and perspectives presented at an expert symposium focused on wild blueberries and cardiometabolic health.

Snoquinium angustifolium. Image credit: Σ64 / CC BY 3.0.

Wild blueberries, also known as lowbush blueberries, have a long history of use and are prized for their high content of anthocyanins and other protective compounds.

These polyphenols, which are responsible for the deep blue color of berries, have been extensively studied for their antioxidant properties.

“Wild blueberries have been prized by people for thousands of years,” said University of Maine professor Dorothy Krimis Zakas, co-lead author of the new review.

“Traditional knowledge recognizes its value, and today’s research continues to explore how the unique components of wild blueberries support health when consumed as part of an overall balanced diet.”

In this review, the authors examined 12 human clinical trials conducted in four countries, as well as dozens of additional studies investigating how compounds found in wild blueberries interact with biological systems.

The most consistent finding across studies was enhanced vascular function, or how well blood vessels relax and respond to stimulation.

Some trials observed measurable improvements in endothelial function within hours of consuming wild blueberries, while others reported effects with regular consumption over weeks or months.

The latest research also points to an effect on the gut microbiome.

Wild blueberries are rich in fiber and polyphenols, which escape early digestion and are converted by gut bacteria into metabolites that enter the bloodstream.

These metabolites can represent a significant portion of the bioactive compounds circulating in the body after consumption, and in one clinical study, daily consumption of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder increased the population of beneficial bioactive compounds. Bifidobacterium seed.

There are interesting suggestions that regular consumption of blueberries may also support cognitive performance, particularly thinking speed and memory in older people, and that this may possibly be related to improved circulation and other systemic effects.

In adults at high cardiometabolic risk, several studies cited in the review found clinically relevant improvements in blood pressure, glycemic control, and lipid profiles, including reductions in total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides, after several weeks of continuous blueberry consumption.

“What’s remarkable about wild blueberries is that they contain a large number of polyphenols and nutrients, and their health benefits do not appear to be exerted by a single mechanism alone,” said Sarah A. Johnson, Ph.D., of Florida State University, co-lead author of the review.

“Evidence suggests these berries may support multiple biological pathways related to cardiometabolic health, from vascular function to inflammation and oxidative stress, but their effects vary from person to person.”

“Recent research on the role of the gut microbiome in determining health benefits is exciting and may help researchers determine how to support the gut microbiome to enhance health benefits.”

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Sarah A. Johnson others. Wild blueberries and cardiometabolic health: A current review of the evidence. Critical reviews in food science and nutritionpublished online on January 24, 2026. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2025.2610406