Wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) are North American perennial plants rich in polyphenols, including flavonoids, beneficial to human health. A new paper published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition provides a summary of the evidence and perspectives presented at an expert symposium that focused on wild blueberries and cardiometabolic health.
Vaccinium angustifolium. Image credit: Σ64 / CC BY 3.0.
Wild blueberries, also known as lowbush blueberries, have a long history of use and are prized for their dense concentration of anthocyanins and other protective compounds.
These polyphenols, responsible for the berries’ deep blue color, have been widely studied for their antioxidant properties.
“Wild blueberries have been valued by people for thousands of years,” said University of Maine’s Professor Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, co-first author of the new review.
“Traditional knowledge recognized their value, and today’s research continues to explore how the unique composition of wild blueberries may support health when eaten as part of an overall balanced diet.”
In the review, the authors examined 12 human clinical trials conducted across four countries, as well as dozens of additional studies exploring how compounds in wild blueberries interact with biological systems.
Among the most consistent findings across studies was an enhancement of vascular function — how well blood vessels relax and respond to stimuli.
Some trials observed measurable improvements in endothelial function within hours of consuming wild blueberries, while others reported benefits from regular intake over weeks or months.
Emerging research also points to effects on the gut microbiome.
Wild blueberries are rich in fiber and polyphenols that escape early digestion and are transformed by gut microbes into metabolites that enter the bloodstream.
These metabolites could account for a significant proportion of the bioactive compounds circulating in the body after consumption, and in one clinical study, daily intake of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder increased populations of beneficial Bifidobacterium species.
There are tantalizing suggestions that regular blueberry intake may also support cognitive performance, particularly thinking speed and memory in older adults, possibly tied to improvements in circulation or other systemic effects.
For adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk, several studies cited in the review found clinically relevant improvements in blood pressure, glycemic control and lipid profiles, including reductions in total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides after weeks of consistent blueberry consumption.
“What makes wild blueberries remarkable is that they contain numerous polyphenols and nutrients and don’t appear to exert their health benefits through just one mechanism,” said Florida State Univers’s Dr. Sarah A. Johnson, co-first author of the review.
“The evidence suggests these berries may support multiple biological pathways relevant to cardiometabolic health, from blood vessel function to inflammation and oxidative stress, with effects that can vary from person to person.”
“Recent research on the role of the gut microbiome in determining their health benefits is exciting and may help researchers determine ways to support the gut microbiome to enhance their health benefits.”
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Sarah A. Johnson et al. Wild blueberries and cardiometabolic health: a current review of the evidence. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, published online January 24, 2026; doi: 10.1080/10408398.2025.2610406
