Wild blueberry drink and gut bacteria in men
What it found
In a six-week trial in men, a wild blueberry drink increased bifidobacteria in the gut, but a placebo drink did not.
Both drinks increased Lactobacillus acidophilus.
What they found
Studies in people
Bifidobacteria increased
After the wild blueberry drink, bifidobacteria rose about twofold compared to total gut bacteria. After the placebo drink, there was no big change.
Lactobacillus increased
Lactobacillus acidophilus increased after both the wild blueberry drink and the placebo drink. The rise was similar for both.
Other bacteria unchanged
No big changes were seen for Bacteroides, Prevotella, Enterococcus, or Clostridium coccoides after either drink.
Absolute counts not significant
When the total number of bifidobacteria was counted directly, the increase was not statistically significant. The authors say proportions are more meaningful because total bacteria vary between stool samples.
What the authors conclude
“Results obtained suggest that regular consumption of a wild blueberry drink can positively modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say that regular consumption of a wild blueberry drink can positively change the gut bacteria, especially by increasing bifidobacteria.
- They recommend more research with larger groups to look at specific species of bifidobacteria.
- They suggest the drink could be used as a base for a functional drink that combines prebiotic effects with probiotic bacteria.
How it was done
Wild blueberries are rich in polyphenols and fiber, which may affect the gut bacteria. The authors wanted to see if these compounds could boost beneficial bacteria in people.
Twenty healthy men, aged about 46, drank either a wild blueberry powder drink or a placebo for six weeks, then switched after a six-week break. Stool samples from 15 men were tested for seven groups of gut bacteria.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a small study in 15 men, so the results may not apply to women or other groups.
- The study cannot show whether these changes in gut bacteria lead to any health benefits.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
The paper
- Title
- Six-week consumption of a wild blueberry powder drink increases bifidobacteria in the human gut
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Vendrame S, Guglielmetti S, Riso P, Arioli S, Klimis-Zacas D, Porrini M (2011). Six-week consumption of a wild blueberry powder drink increases bifidobacteria in the human gut. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. doi:10.1021/jf2028686Free full textPubMed 22060186DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error