Blueberry as a source of bioactive compounds for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and chronic inflammation

Recent experimental and clinical studies suggest that consumption of blueberry products has potential health benefits in ameliorating the development of obesity and its related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic inflammation. Blueberry fruits are enriched with numerous bioactive components such as vitamins, phenolic acid and anthocyanins which could contribute to these protective effects. Possible mechanisms by which blueberries exert their beneficial properties include counteracting oxidative stress, regulating glucose metabolism, improving lipid profile, and lowering inflammatory cytokine levels in animal models and preliminary human trials. This review focuses on the potential role of blueberries as a functional food in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Although the current evidence is promising, further randomized controlled studies in the longer term are needed to evaluate the role of blueberries and blueberry extracts to support human health. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.