Scientists have long been interested in how early nutrition shapes a child’s immune system.
A newly study published in Nutrients has now drawn attention to a small, blue fruit that may offer unexpected benefits during infancy.
Researchers followed a group of babies over several months to explore how blueberries affected their immune response, gut bacteria, and allergy-related symptoms.
How the study was conducted
The research, published in the scientific journal Nutrients, involved 75 infants aged three to four months who were exclusively breastfed.
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They were randomly divided into two groups. One received a daily supplement made from blueberries in powder form, while the other was given a placebo that looked identical.
The trial continued until the children turned one year old.
At the beginning of the study, both groups showed some differences in respiratory symptoms.
But as the months went by, children who received the fruit supplement showed a noticeable improvement.
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Wheezing and dry coughs became less common, and fewer new symptoms developed compared to the placebo group.
What the scientists found
To understand what was happening inside the body, researchers analyzed blood and stool samples.
They measured two immune markers, IL-10 and IL-13, which influence inflammation and allergic responses.
Children who consumed blueberries had slightly lower IL-13 levels and higher IL-10 levels, though these results were not statistically strong enough to draw firm conclusions.
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The data also suggested connections between certain gut bacteria and these immune markers.
For example, IL-10 was linked to beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Clostridiaceae, while IL-13 was negatively associated with bacteria such as Blautia and Anaerostipes.
Although the scientists caution that these findings are preliminary, they believe the results highlight how diet could play a vital role in early immune programming.
Source: Dagens.dk, and Nutrients.
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