SupplementsTart Cherry

Blueberry juice improves total and LDL cholesterol and psychological wellbeing in adults

In a 20-day randomized controlled trial, 60 mL/day of blueberry juice significantly reduced total cholesterol from 4.36 to 3.79 mmol/L and LDL cholesterol from 2.71 to 2.23 mmol/L compared to placebo, which showed increases. Psychological wellbeing indices (Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, COOP WONCA) also improved significantly in the blueberry group.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry and Blueberry Juice on Cardiometabolic and Other Health-Related Outcomes: A Three-Arm Placebo Randomized Controlled Trial.

observational

Sinclair J, Bottoms L, Dillon S, Allan R, Shadwell G, Butters B · International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 20 days
Intervention: 60 mL of Montmorency tart cherry juice or blueberry juice daily for 20 days
Outcome: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, psychological wellbeing (Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, COOP WONCA), systolic blood pressure, anthropometric measures, energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, hematological measures, diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, sleep efficacy
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 45 adults (randomly assigned to three arms)

Result:

PubMed: 35564709DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095317

Mechanism Graph

Blueberry polyphenols may reduce cholesterol absorption or increase excretion
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Anthocyanins in blueberries may improve endothelial function and reduce inflammation
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Improved lipid profile and reduced oxidative stress may enhance mood and psychological wellbeing
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Result: Lower total and LDL cholesterol and improved psychological wellbeing

Limitations

  • ⚠Small sample size (n=45) limits generalizability
  • ⚠Short intervention period (20 days) may not reflect long-term effects
  • ⚠No significant effect on primary outcome (systolic blood pressure) reduces overall impact

Frequently Asked Questions

Did tart cherry juice also improve cholesterol or psychological wellbeing?▼

No, the abstract reports significant improvements only for the blueberry juice arm compared to placebo; tart cherry juice did not show statistically significant effects on these outcomes.

What was the primary outcome of this study?▼

The primary outcome was systolic blood pressure, which showed no statistically significant difference between groups.

How long did participants take the juice?▼

Participants consumed 60 mL of juice per day for 20 days.

Were there any changes in sleep efficacy?▼

Sleep efficacy was measured as a secondary outcome, but the abstract does not report any significant findings for it.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Sinclair J, Bottoms L, Dillon S, Allan R, Shadwell G, Butters B. "Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry and Blueberry Juice on Cardiometabolic and Other Health-Related Outcomes: A Three-Arm Placebo Randomized Controlled Trial.." International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022. PMID: 35564709 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095317
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.