Blueberry as an Attractive Functional Fruit to Prevent (Pre)Diabetes Progression

Abstract

Prediabetes, a subclinical impairment between euglycemia and hyperglycemia, is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated micro- and macrovascular complications. Lifestyle therapy, the first-line treatment of prediabetes, includes physical exercise and dietary regimens enriched in phytochemicals with health-related properties. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), given their pleasant taste and great abundance in beneficial phytochemicals, have gained public interest all over the world. Along with a high antioxidant activity, this functional fruit is also well-recognized due to its hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitizing effects and has been recommended for overt T2DM management. Yet blueberries target several other pathophysiological traits, namely gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic dysmetabolism, that ensue when prediabetes begins and for which pharmacological interventions tend to be delayed. In this work, we revisited preclinical data from in vitro assays, animal models and human studies, aiming to disclose the potential mechanisms by which blueberries may be a fruitful source of phytochemicals able to prevent (pre)diabetes progression. Collectively, future efforts should focus on longer-term studies with standardized interventions and readouts, particularly in humans, that will hopefully bring more robust evidence and concrete guidance for blueberries’ effective use in prediabetes.

Blueberry Counteracts Prediabetes in a Hypercaloric Diet-Induced Rat Model and Rescues Hepatic Mitochondrial Bioenergetics

“…In addition, our results are consistent with those showing that BBs prevent postprandial TGs accumulation in the serum in rats fed hypercaloric diets [75][76][77]. The phytochemical composition of BBs, enriched in phenolic compounds (namely anthocyanins, among others) and fibers, is likely to explain the beneficial metabolic effects of BBs [78][79][80] due to their antioxidant and prebiotic properties being very well documented [32,[81][82][83][84]. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the protection of BBs against deregulation of glucose, insulin, and lipids, especially in the prediabetic state, remain to be elucidated.…”

“…For instance, an inverse association between plantbased diets (e.g., fresh vegetables, fruits) and T2DM evolution has been consistently highlighted [25][26][27][28][29]. Blueberries (BBs), one of the most popular berries due to their palatableness and nutritional/phytochemical composition, display a panoply of healthrelated properties in several metabolic diseases, including T2DM, as comprehensively reviewed elsewhere [30][31][32]. Briefly, their low caloric value pairs with an enriched content of dietary fibers and an array of polyphenolic secondary metabolites (e.g., flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids) that greatly dictate BBs' antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles [31,[33][34][35].…”

“…Briefly, their low caloric value pairs with an enriched content of dietary fibers and an array of polyphenolic secondary metabolites (e.g., flavonols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids) that greatly dictate BBs' antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles [31,[33][34][35]. Moreover, a wealth of experimental evidence openly points out the BBs-derived hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitizing effects [30,32,36,37]. However, the precise pathophysiologic mechanisms counteracted by BBs in early prediabetes progression are far from being disclosed.…”

Biscuit consumption and diabetic retinopathy incidence in adults in the United States

“…Therefore, it is essential to investigate the potential correlation between food consumption and health outcomes. Regular consumption of a fruit- and vegetable-rich diet is inversely related to the risk of DM or diabetic complications [ 30 , 31 ]. In contrast, consumption of red or processed meat, eggs, and sugar-sweetened beverages was positively related to the risk of DM [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Bibliometric analysis of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) research publications based on Web of Science

“…Blueberries are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that have a positive effect on the human body, and these play an important role in the physiological functions of scavenging free radicals and antioxidant capacity (Liu et al, 2021). Along with a high antioxidant activity, this functional fruit is also well-recognized due to its hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitizing effects (Nunes et al, 2021).…”