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What Is Blueberry Extract?

From verywell health   Sept 1th,2023

Blueberry extract is a natural health supplement made from concentrated blueberry juice. A rich source of nutrients and antioxidants, blueberry extract contains beneficial plant compounds (including the flavonol quercetin) and anthocyanins, a class of compounds thought to reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease and cancer.

Although its benefits are unproven, it is often promoted for the following conditions:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD; an eye disease)
Alzheimer's disease
Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure (hypertension)


High cholesterol
This article reviews research on blueberry extract, side effects, and potential interactions.
Uses of Blueberry Extract
Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian (RD), pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Although research on the health effects of blueberry extract is very limited, some studies suggest that blueberries may offer certain potential benefits.

Research on the potential benefits of blueberries has focused on fresh blueberries, blueberry powders, and blueberry juice or juice concentrate. The concentrated juice is used to form a blueberry extract that can then be sold in pill or capsule form. Blueberry powder is made from freeze-dried blueberries.

Preliminary research has found:

A creatine plus blueberry extract supplement improved muscle strength and power during exercise. However, it did no better than a regular creatine supplement.

A blueberry extract dosed at 100 milligrams (mg) daily for three months helped improve memory performance in older adults. Blueberry powder did not improve memory performance.

A systematic review of cranberry and blueberry consumption concluded that both berries may have a beneficial effect on glucose control in people with diabetes. Daily cranberry juice for 12 weeks and blueberry extract or powder for 12 weeks was used in the studies reviewed.

Another study found that six weeks of daily blueberry consumption didn't improve blood pressure. However, it did improve endothelial function. The inner lining of the small arteries, the endothelium, is involved in many vital bodily functions—including regulating blood pressure.

When evaluating the preliminary research, it is important to note that the studies are small, and interventions often include blueberry extract in products with several other ingredients. Additionally, some supplement companies may apply research findings on fresh blueberries or anthocyanins from other sources to market blueberry extract benefits.

There is not enough evidence to support any uses for blueberry extract at this time.
What Are the Side Effects of Blueberry Extract?
Little is known about the safety of long-term use of blueberry extract supplements. Blueberry is safe to consume in the amounts found naturally in food. However, it is unclear how much blueberry extract is safe to take.

Whole blueberries, blueberry juice, and blueberry powder are typically well-tolerated, with few side effects. However, drinks that contain freeze-dried blueberries have been reported to cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting in some people. It is not known if blueberry leaf is safe.

Precautions
Eating blueberries is fine for most people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, but there is no data on the safety of blueberry extract. Therefore, the extract is not recommended for pregnant and lactating individuals.

Blueberry extract may have a glucose-lowering effect and interfere with glucose control during surgery. It is recommended to avoid blueberry extract at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery, as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur.

People with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) may have difficulty digesting blueberries. If you have this disorder, you should discuss with your care provider before adding blueberry extract to your regimen.



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