Effects of Blueberries in Older Adults (BnD)

This randomized, parallel-design trial will evaluate specific clinical and physiological effects of whole blueberries in adults 70 years of age or older.

Although much is already known about the benefits of a healthy diet for the prevention of a wide range of chronic diseases, including the particular health benefits of anthocyanin-rich foods, these effects have been examined with much less frequency in older adults, who tend to be excluded from formal feeding studies and, until recently, have represented a small proportion of ongoing cohort studies. The proposed study will randomize approximately 46 women and 24 men, representative of the proportion of elderly women and men in the U.S. to consume either: 1 cup of frozen blueberries daily for 12 weeks or 2-3 dried dates daily for 12 weeks. Dates were chosen as a control food because they contain negligible polyphenols, proportionately high caloric content, and a convenient form for storage. After the 12-week intervention, researchers will repeat in-person study assessments from baseline.

Randomized participants will consume 1 cup of frozen blueberries, provided by the trial, daily for 12 weeks.

Participants will consume 1 cup of frozen blueberries daily for the 12 weeks of the intervention. The study dietitian will provide educational materials and monitor compliance through weekly check-ins. Participants will be instructed to avoid all other high-anthocyanin foods including other berries, cherries, currants, cabbage, red wine, and eggplant.

Participants will consume 2-3 dried dates daily for the 12 weeks of the intervention, an isocaloric portion of fruit compared to the blueberry group. The study dietitian will provide educational materials and monitor compliance through weekly check-ins. Participants will be instructed to avoid all other high-anthocyanin foods including blueberries, other berries, cherries, currants, cabbage, red wine, and eggplant.

Cogstate Brief Battery of four core cognitive domains: processing speed, attention, visual learning, and working memory

Investigators will administer the Fall Follow-Up Questionnaire from the Study to Understand Fall Reduction and Vitamin D in You (STURDY) to participants that self-report falls to record details on each fall.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The 19 self-rated items are combined to form 7 "component" scores, each of which has a range of 0-3 points. In all cases, a score of "0" indicates no difficulty, while a score of "3" indicates severe difficulty. The 7 component scores are then added to yield one "global score", with a range of 0-21 points, "0" indicating no difficulty and "21" indicated severe difficulties in all sleep areas.

Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis. The first 3 items focus on stress incontinence symptoms and the last 3 on urge incontinence symptoms. Each item includes 6 frequency-based response options, which are scored from 0 to 5 points. Scores are calculated in an additive fashion, resulting in separate Stress and Urge score, each ranging from 0-15 points. Higher scores indicate more severe incontinence symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria: 70 years old Independent-living Exclusion Criteria: Cardiovascular event or procedure within 3 months of randomization AHA Class III-IV heart failure Intolerance or allergy to blueberries or dates History of gastric bypass surgery Any planned hospitalization or vacation in the ensuing 4 months Any current cancer treatment End-stage renal disease Any organ transplant Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c >9% Systolic blood pressure >200 mmHg Inability to provide personal informed consent (e.g. cognitive impairment) Investigator concern