Blueberry Powder for Depression in Aging

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Hebrew SeniorLife

Must not be taking: Anti-inflammatories, Immune-suppressants, Antibiotics, Antidepressants

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Major depression, Diabetes, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 3 days

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assess how different doses of blueberry powder affect mood and inflammation in older adults. Researchers will compare a standard dose (24 grams) to a higher dose (48 grams) to understand flavonoid absorption and their potential benefits for minor depressive symptoms. The trial seeks men and women aged 65 and up who experience minor depression but have not been diagnosed with major mental health disorders. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to scientific knowledge and potentially improve mood and inflammation through natural compounds.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you must stop taking anti-inflammatory, immune-suppressant drugs, and anti-depressants to participate in this trial.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are currently taking anti-inflammatory or immune-suppressant drugs, or if you are on anti-depressants, you will need to stop taking them to participate in this trial.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that freeze-dried blueberry powder is generally well-tolerated. For instance, one study found that older adults who used this powder for 12 weeks experienced no major safety issues and adhered well to the study protocol. Although specific safety data on blueberry powder is limited, it is a common food and not known to cause serious side effects, suggesting it is likely safe for most people. However, as this is an early-stage study, consulting a healthcare professional before participating is important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard treatments for depression, which often involve medications like SSRIs or psychotherapy, the investigational treatment uses freeze-dried blueberry powder. Researchers are excited about this approach because it leverages the natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties found in blueberries, which may offer a novel way to alleviate depressive symptoms. Additionally, this treatment could provide quicker results, potentially improving mood in just a few days, as opposed to the weeks typically required by conventional antidepressants. This makes it an appealing option, particularly for older adults seeking alternative or complementary therapies.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for depression in aging?

Research has shown that eating blueberries might help reduce depression symptoms. One study found that people who ate at least 67 grams of blueberries daily were 52% less likely to experience depression than those who didn't consume them. Blueberries are high in flavonoids, natural compounds that might boost mood by reducing brain inflammation. Since inflammation often links to depression, lowering it could help ease symptoms. This trial will compare a standard dose of freeze-dried blueberry powder with a higher dose. Early research suggests that both regular and higher doses of freeze-dried blueberry powder can raise flavonoid levels in the body, potentially improving mood and reducing depression in older adults. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The ABSORB trial is for men and women aged 65 or older who have minor depressive symptoms. Participants should score between 4 and 16 points on a depression scale used to measure their mood.

Inclusion Criteria

You have mild symptoms of depression.

I am 65 years old or older.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume either 24 g or 48 g of freeze-dried blueberry powder for 3 consecutive days, followed by assessments.

3 days

2 visits (in-person)

Washout

A two-week washout period where no blueberry powder is consumed.

2 weeks

Crossover Treatment

Participants switch to the alternate dose of blueberry powder for 3 consecutive days, followed by assessments.

3 days

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in inflammatory and flavonoid biomarkers after treatment.

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder

Trial Overview This study tests the effects of two doses of freeze-dried blueberry powder (24g and 48g) on flavonoid levels in the body and markers that indicate inflammation, which are related to aging and depression.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Higher Dose Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Consumption of 48 g of freeze dried blueberry powder for 3 consecutive days.

Group II: Standard Dose Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder Active Control 1 Intervention

Consumption of 24 g of freeze dried blueberry powder for 3 consecutive days.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Hebrew SeniorLife

Lead Sponsor

Trials

52

Recruited

273,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 37 young adults, both whole blueberries and freeze-dried blueberry powder did not show significant differences in improving cardiovascular health compared to a control group, indicating that the form of blueberry may not matter for cardiovascular benefits.

However, both blueberry treatments improved plasma nitrite levels significantly compared to baseline, suggesting a potential positive effect on vascular function, even though other cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol levels did not show significant changes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Blueberry Consumption on Cardiovascular Health in Healthy Adults: A Cross-Over Randomised Controlled Trial. Wang, Y., Gallegos, JL., Haskell-Ramsay, C., et al.[2022]

A new method for screening blueberry samples revealed significant variations in anthocyanin and phenolic acid content, with total anthocyanins ranging from 201.4 to 402.8 mg/100 g and phenolic acids from 23.6 to 61.7 mg/100 g in frozen fruits.

Freeze-drying blueberries resulted in a slight decrease in anthocyanins but a notable increase in phenolic acids, suggesting that processing methods can affect the health-promoting compounds in blueberries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficient quantification of the health-relevant anthocyanin and phenolic acid profiles in commercial cultivars and breeding selections of blueberries ( Vaccinium spp.). Yousef, GG., Brown, AF., Funakoshi, Y., et al.[2021]

The study analyzed adverse event reports related to herbal supplements from two databases, FAERS and CVAR, revealing that herbal supplements accounted for 2.51% and 6.83% of total reports, respectively, indicating a significant presence of herbal-related safety concerns.

Common herbs associated with adverse events included Avena sativa (oats), Cannabis sativa (marijuana), and Hypericum perforatum (St John's Wort), highlighting the need for further investigation into the safety profiles of these supplements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identifying Herbal Adverse Events From Spontaneous Reporting Systems Using Taxonomic Name Resolution Approach. Sharma, V., Gelin, LFF., Sarkar, IN.[2020]

Clarified açaí juice (EO) demonstrated significant antidepressant effects in mice, effectively reducing despair-like and anhedonia behaviors after just four doses, comparable to the effects of the traditional antidepressant imipramine.

EO also exhibited antioxidant and antiaging properties by preventing lipid peroxidation and increasing the expression of TERT mRNA, which is crucial for telomere maintenance, suggesting potential neuroprotective benefits against age-related consequences in the brain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antidepressant and Antiaging Effects of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Mice. Souza-Monteiro, JR., Arrifano, GPF., Queiroz, AIDG., et al.[2020]

Berries, particularly in freeze-dried powder form, contain powerful chemopreventive agents like anthocyanins and ellagitannins, which show promise in preventing cancer based on laboratory research.

The commentary outlines a stepwise scheme for developing food-based cancer prevention strategies, highlighting preclinical assessments and preliminary clinical trial results in areas such as the oral cavity, esophagus, and colon.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Foodstuffs for preventing cancer: the preclinical and clinical development of berries. Stoner, GD.[2021]

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is generally well tolerated for treating mild to moderate depression, with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurring at rates similar to placebo, based on a systematic review of various studies.

The most common side effects include gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, and sedation, while serious effects like photosensitivity are very rare; however, more long-term studies are needed to fully understand its safety profile.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse effects profile of the herbal antidepressant St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). Ernst, E., Rand, JI., Barnes, J., et al.[2019]

Blueberry extract demonstrated antidepressant-like effects in mice, effectively protecting against depressive-like behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), similar to the effects of fluoxetine, without affecting locomotor activity.

The extract also restored oxidative stress markers and reduced neuroinflammation by modulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, indicating its potential as a neuroprotective agent.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blueberry extract as a potential pharmacological tool for preventing depressive-like behavior and neurochemical dysfunctions in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide. Spohr, L., Luduvico, KP., Soares, MSP., et al.[2022]

Ginkgo biloba extracts (EGb) have shown reproducible positive effects on cognitive functions in older adults with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, based on a review of existing literature.

EGb is well tolerated by patients, indicating a favorable safety profile for its use in treating cognitive impairments associated with aging.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review about Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 (Ginkgo). Gertz, HJ., Kiefer, M.[2019]

A 4-week study involving 64 adolescents showed that daily supplementation with wild blueberry (WBB), rich in anthocyanins, significantly reduced self-reported symptoms of depression compared to a placebo group.

While WBB supplementation did not affect anxiety symptoms or transient mood changes, the findings suggest that flavonoid-rich foods like WBB could be a promising strategy for preventing depression in adolescents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of 4 weeks daily wild blueberry supplementation on symptoms of depression in adolescents. Fisk, J., Khalid, S., Reynolds, SA., et al.[2022]

In a 12-week observational study involving 1,778 patients treated with St. John's Wort for depression, there was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, with a 63.1% drop in ICD-10 scores and 72.4% of patients rated as 'normal to mildly ill' by the end of the study.

The treatment was well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse drug reactions (3.54%) that decreased over time, and no serious adverse reactions were reported, indicating that St. John's Wort is a safe and effective option for managing mild to moderate depression in everyday clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A hypericum extract in the treatment of depressive symptoms in outpatients: an open study. Melzer, J., Brignoli, R., Keck, ME., et al.[2010]

In a study involving male Swiss mice, blueberry extract (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced depressive-like behavior, similar to the effects of fluoxetine, without affecting locomotor activity, suggesting its potential as a natural antidepressant.

Blueberry extract also demonstrated neuroprotective effects by improving Na+/K+-ATPase activity and reducing neuroinflammatory markers in the brain, indicating its ability to counteract neurochemical changes associated with depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Blueberry Extract Modulates Brain Enzymes Activities and Reduces Neuroinflammation: Promising Effect on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior. Spohr, L., de Aguiar, MSS., Bona, NP., et al.[2023]

A case study of a female patient with a history of mild traumatic brain injury and depression revealed that adding St John's wort and Ginkgo biloba to her existing medications (fluoxetine and buspirone) led to hypomania, highlighting potential risks of herbal medicine interactions with SSRIs.

The hypomanic symptoms resolved after stopping the herbal supplements, emphasizing the importance of educating patients and healthcare providers about the possible interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed psychopharmacological treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypomania induced by herbal and pharmaceutical psychotropic medicines following mild traumatic brain injury. Spinella, M., Eaton, LA.[2022]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40442715/

Berries and Steps: a protocol of a randomized, placebo ... Participants will be randomized to consume either 48 g of freeze-dried blueberry powder (~ 600 mg of anthocyanins and ~ 8 g of fiber) or a ...

2. nutritionj.biomedcentral.com nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-025-01154-0

Berries and Steps: a protocol of a randomized, placebo ... We propose a study intervention protocol, which aims to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of daily supplementation of freeze-dried blueberries.

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-depression-6-2023-3535a

Blueberry Powder for Depression in Aging · Info for Participants Trial Overview This study tests the effects of two doses of freeze-dried blueberry powder (24g and 48g) on flavonoid levels in the body and markers that ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11139700/

A biphasic response to blueberry supplementation on ... Individuals who consumed an average of at least 67 g berries a day were 52% less likely to report clinical levels of depression compared to non- ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05735587

Blueberries, Inflammation, Motivation, and Physical Activity ... The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of daily supplementation of freeze-dried blueberry to modulate ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12123748/

Berries and Steps: a protocol of a randomized, placebo ... We propose a study intervention protocol, which aims to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of daily supplementation of freeze-dried blueberries.

7. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/83/NCT05817383/Prot_SAP_001.pdf

Blueberries, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolites in Depressed ... Our objective is to determine if consuming a whole-food source of dietary fiber and anthocyanins (via freeze-dried blueberry powder) modulates ...

8. cdn.nutrition.org cdn.nutrition.org/article/S2475-2991(25)01524-0/fulltext

Investigating the Feasibility of a Long-term Blueberry ... We hypothesize that a 12-week freeze-dried blueberry powder intervention is feasible in older adults with MDS. ... safety and relatively high compliance ...