Blueberry Supplements for Depression

Overseen By Katie Baldyga, BA

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Hebrew SeniorLife

Must not be taking: Antibiotics, Pro-biotics, Antidepressants, others

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Diabetes, Psychotic disorders, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether freeze-dried blueberry powder, a natural supplement, can improve motivation in older adults with symptoms of depression. Researchers aim to determine if this supplement can reduce inflammation, potentially linked to low motivation. Participants will take either the blueberry powder or a placebo for 12 weeks. The trial seeks individuals aged 65 and older who have depressive symptoms and spend most of their day sitting. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore natural methods to enhance motivation and well-being.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop your current medications, but it does mention that participants with unstable antidepressant use (recent changes in medication) may be excluded. It's best to discuss your specific situation with the trial coordinators.

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

Research has shown that freeze-dried blueberry supplements can cause minor side effects. Some individuals might experience constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting after consuming drinks made with these blueberries. However, clear information about more serious side effects or risks remains insufficient. No specific safety data exists for using freeze-dried blueberry powder for depression, but blueberries are generally safe for most people when consumed in normal food amounts. Prospective participants in a clinical trial with blueberry supplements should discuss any concerns with their doctor. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatment?

Unlike the standard treatments for depression, which often include medications like SSRIs and therapy, freeze-dried blueberry powder is derived from natural ingredients and is rich in antioxidants, specifically anthocyanins. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it offers a new approach by potentially reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which are thought to contribute to depression. Additionally, being a dietary supplement, it might present fewer side effects compared to traditional antidepressants, making it an appealing alternative for those seeking more natural treatment options.

What evidence suggests that freeze-dried blueberry powder might be an effective treatment for depression?

Research has shown that freeze-dried blueberry powder, which participants in this trial may receive, might improve mood and motivation in people with depression. One study found that individuals who ate blueberries daily were 52% less likely to feel depressed compared to those who did not. Another study demonstrated that blueberries could lift mood in both children and adults. Blueberries contain high levels of flavonoids, which have been linked to better mood. These findings suggest that blueberry supplements could be a promising way to help with depressive symptoms. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Courtney Millar, PhD

Principal Investigator

Hebrew SeniorLife, Marcus Institute of Aging, Harvard Medical Schools

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for sedentary adults aged 65 or older with mild depressive symptoms. Participants must spend a lot of time sitting and not have cognitive impairments, diabetes, substance abuse issues, severe psychiatric disorders, inflammatory bowel conditions, allergies to the products used in the study, or be taking certain medications like antibiotics or antidepressants.

Inclusion Criteria

I have mild to moderate depression.

Self-reporting ≥ 8 hours of sitting per/day (e.g., sedentary behavior)

I am 65 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Self-reporting a history of inflammatory bowel disease/syndrome, major depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders, or per discretion of the PI

Cognitive impairment (defined as Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA <22 points)

I walk more than 7,500 steps a day, or my doctor agrees I'm active enough.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Washout

Participants avoid consumption of foods high in fiber and anthocyanins and wear an activity monitor

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants consume either freeze-dried blueberry powder or placebo powder daily, with assessments at baseline, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks

12 weeks

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder
• Placebo Powder

Trial Overview The study tests if daily freeze-dried blueberry powder can help reduce inflammation and improve motivation to be active compared to a placebo powder. It's designed for older adults who don't exercise much and feel down sometimes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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

Randomized participants will be asked to consume 48 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder each day for 12 weeks.

Group II: Placebo Powder Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Randomized participants will be asked to consume 48 grams of a nutritionally matched placebo powder devoid of fiber and anthocyanins each day for 12 weeks.

Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder for:

• General health and wellness
• Antioxidant supplementation

Approved in European Union as Bilberry Powder for:

• General health and wellness
• Antioxidant supplementation

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Hebrew SeniorLife

Lead Sponsor

Trials

52

Recruited

273,000+

Citations

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

Berries and Steps: a protocol of a randomized, placebo ... This study tests if freeze-dried blueberry powder can reduce inflammation and improve motivation in sedentary older adults with mild depressive ...

2. 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- ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06402916

The Acute Effects of Blueberries on Cognition and Mood in ... Previous research has shown that consuming a serving of blueberries can improve mood in children, healthy young adults, and young adults with depressive ...

4. wildblueberries.com wildblueberries.com/?pressreleases=new-wild-blueberry-study-indicates-potential-mood-boosting-effect-young-adults-children

New Wild Blueberry Study Indicates Potential Mood-Boosting ... In both trials, participants recorded a significant increase in positive mood after drinking the wild blueberry drink. The flavonoid-rich wild blueberry drink ...

5. cambridge.org cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/effect-of-4-weeks-daily-wild-blueberry-supplementation-on-symptoms-of-depression-in-adolescents/E8ED12AC48E936A4A8D6664B93AD6AA6

Effect of 4 weeks daily wild blueberry supplementation on ... We investigated the effects of 4 weeks, daily WBB supplementation (containing about 253 mg anthocyanins) on transient and chronic mood in adolescents.

6. webmd.com webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1013/blueberry

Blueberry - Uses, Side Effects, and More Drinks made with freeze-dried blueberries might cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in some people. There isn't enough reliable information to ...

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

Blueberry Powder for Depression in Aging The provided research does not contain specific safety data for blueberry powder or its variants like freeze-dried blueberry powder, bilberry powder, or wild ...

8. 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.

9. centaur.reading.ac.uk centaur.reading.ac.uk/106098/1/20009043_MAY_Thesis_Redacted.pdf

The acute and chronic effects of a freeze-dried wild blueberry ... The cognitive, reading behaviour, and mood, effects of a freeze-dried WBB powder beverage (253 mg anthocyanins) were investigated in four placebo-controlled, ...