Berries are not only a pleasure for the palate but true pillars of functional nutrition. In today’s food landscape, where preventive health is increasingly central, blueberries stand out as a key food, studied for their deep effects on wellbeing starting from the very first months of life.
The importance of the golden window
The first year of life, especially the period when solid foods are first introduced (complementary feeding), is considered a crucial phase for the long-term programming of health. This is when the immune system and the gut microbiota (the community of bacteria inhabiting the intestines) develop and take shape, often alongside the emergence of early allergic symptoms.
Understanding how specific foods influence these developing systems is essential. A recent clinical study conducted on breastfed infants focused precisely on this: assessing the impact of daily blueberry consumption during this “critical window.”
Blueberries: a natural ally
The results of this research, which administered freeze-dried blueberry powder (up to 10 grams per day) or a placebo to infants aged 5 to 12 months, are particularly promising for parents concerned about their children’s health.
Although at the beginning of the study some infants who later received blueberries showed a higher number of allergy-related symptoms, a significantly better healing trajectory was observed for this group compared to the placebo. In practical terms, the early introduction of blueberries was associated with a faster resolution of allergic symptoms by the end of the study period.
Immune balance
The benefits of blueberries are not limited to external symptoms but also occur at a biochemical level, modifying the internal signals of the immune system.
Blueberry consumption led to a significant reduction in serum IL-13 levels. IL-13 is considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and its decrease suggests a shift toward a less inflammatory state. Furthermore, an increase (borderline significant) in IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was observed. These data indicate that the introduction of blueberries may help balance immune responses in infants.
The gut–immunity connection
We know that the gut is the command center of immunity, and diet is its main regulator. The study confirmed that including blueberries as a complementary food promotes positive, beneficial changes in the gut microbiota.
The research explored the complex interactions between specific gut bacteria and immune markers. For example, the abundance of bacteria such as Anaerostipes and Blautia was negatively correlated with the pro-inflammatory marker IL-13. Conversely, strains such as Lactobacillus, Clostridiaceae, and Megasphaera were positively associated with the anti-inflammatory marker IL-10. These results highlight how berries not only nourish the host organism but also actively support the bacterial community, which in turn influences infant immune development.
Functional potential
In summary, scientific data suggest that the inclusion of blueberries (and, by extension, other nutrient-rich berries) in early feeding may improve the resolution of allergic symptoms, favorably modulate immune biomarkers, and promote beneficial changes in the gut microbiota during infancy.
These fruits therefore represent far more than a simple healthy snack. They offer a measurable functional contribution to the development of biological systems. While future research is needed to identify the specific bioactive components of blueberries responsible for these effects, their strategic role in supporting a healthy immune and digestive system from an early age positions berries as essential elements in building a modern, conscious, long-term wellbeing-oriented diet.
Source: Venter C, Boden S, Pickett-Nairne K, O'Mahony L, Glime GNE, Matzeller KL, Frank DN, Kotter C, Kofonow JM, Robertson CE, Campbell WW, Krebs NF, Tang M. Blueberry Consumption in Early Life and Its Effects on Allergy, Immune Biomarkers, and Their Association with the Gut Microbiome. Nutrients. 2025 Aug 28;17(17):2795. doi: 10.3390/nu17172795. PMID: 40944184; PMCID: PMC12430458.
Image source: Canva
🫐 Well-being & Health with Berries 🍓This article is part of the editorial series Wellness & Health with Berries, which brings scientific research closer to everyday life, promoting berries as allies for well-being. The series offers clear, up-to-date, and evidence-based content designed to inform consumers and support all operators in the berry supply chain. |
