Anthocyanins | Research and limitations

1 detailed study records

Key findings from detailed records

In adults with metabolic syndrome, 6 months of blueberry powder equivalent to 150 g of fresh blueberries daily improved vascular-function measures versus placebo. The primary insulin-resistance measure did not improve. This was a whole-food intervention, not a trial of isolated anthocyanins.

Edited by LÍFSVARÐASources reviewed: 2026-09-21Updated: 2026-10-24Estimated reading time: 6 min

KNOWLEDGE RECORD

Category: Metabolism and cellular function
Last Reviewed: 2026-09-21

Names and related search termsAnthocyanins / Anthocyanins / Blueberries

Study type: human intervention study.

Explore 10 papers by research question ↓

OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE

Scientific Evidence Profile

Assessment pending

An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.

This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.

How we assess evidence

Ingredient Profile

What material is being studied?: Anthocyanins are a family of natural pigments. Their colour can change with acidity: experiments on cyanidin-3-O-glucoside connect pH, molecular form and light absorption. [1]

Sources for this profile

Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.

Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of color expression in anthocyanins. Identity and preparation checked against the study abstract. Funding details are not verified for this profile source. Conflict-of-interest details are not verified here.

Profile sources checked: 2026-10-11

Read the evidence in context

Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.

Research Evidence · Scientific Synthesis

Why It Matters #

Is a blueberry trial a trial of isolated anthocyanins? Check the detailed records for study conditions and use the literature map to compare other populations and outcomes.

What Was Studied #

115 adults with metabolic syndrome Double-blind, parallel-group randomized trial. Outcomes: Primary: insulin resistance assessed by HOMA-IR. Vascular function and other measures were also assessed.[1]

What Was Found #

The primary insulin resistance measure did not change. Vascular endothelial function and some other measures improved in the 150 g-equivalent group; no improvements were found in the 75 g-equivalent group.[1]

What the Evidence Means #

A whole-food intervention cannot isolate the effect of anthocyanins. Cardiovascular event reduction was not directly measured.[1]

Comparing similar populations, formulations, durations and outcomes helps identify where findings agree and where they differ.

What We Can Learn #

Do not transfer findings from a whole food directly to an isolated compound or a different extract.

What Remains Unknown #

Further questions include reproducibility across populations and formulations, and the long-term balance of benefits and harms. Use the literature map as a starting point for these questions.

LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS

Compare papers by conditions and findings.

A literature map covering different populations, outcomes and formulations. Read alongside detailed records to avoid treating one trial as the conclusion for an entire ingredient.

Selected: 2026-09-21. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. Editorial selection considered major papers and a range of populations and questions. This is not a systematic search covering all recent research.

10 RECORDS

A dash marks fields outside the bibliographic record. Use detailed records to compare findings and design records to connect mechanisms.

Research comparison table
Paper and topic	Study conditions	Findings and scope
Metabolism and blood glucoseBlueberries improve biomarkers of cardiometabolic function in participants with metabolic syndrome-results from a 6-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.2019 The American journal of clinical nutritionPMID 31136659 #	Study conditions Double-blind, parallel-group randomized trial Population 115 adults with metabolic syndrome Dose Freeze-dried blueberry powder equivalent to 75 or 150 g/day of fresh fruit (182 or 364 mg anthocyanins), versus matched placebo. Duration 6 months Outcomes Primary: insulin resistance assessed by HOMA-IR. Vascular function and other measures were also assessed.	Findings and scope The primary insulin resistance measure did not change. Vascular endothelial function and some other measures improved in the 150 g-equivalent group; no improvements were found in the 75 g-equivalent group. View findings and limitations DOI Authors Curtis PJ, van der Velpen V, Berends L, Jennings A, Feelisch M, Umpleby AM et al.
The pharmacokinetics of anthocyanins and their metabolites in humans.2014 British journal of pharmacologyPMID 24602005 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors de Ferrars RM, Czank C, Zhang Q, Botting NP, Kroon PA, Cassidy A et al.
Anthocyanin supplementation improves serum LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations associated with the inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in dyslipidemic subjects.2009 The American journal of clinical nutritionPMID 19640950 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Qin Y, Xia M, Ma J, Hao Y, Liu J, Mou H et al.
Purified anthocyanin supplementation reduces dyslipidemia, enhances antioxidant capacity, and prevents insulin resistance in diabetic patients.2015 The Journal of nutritionPMID 25833778 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Li D, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Sun R, Xia M
Purified anthocyanin supplementation improves endothelial function via NO-cGMP activation in hypercholesterolemic individuals.2011 Clinical chemistryPMID 21926181 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Zhu Y, Xia M, Yang Y, Liu F, Li Z, Hao Y et al.
Colonic catabolism of ellagitannins, ellagic acid, and raspberry anthocyanins: in vivo and in vitro studies.2011 Drug metabolism and disposition: the biological fate of chemicalsPMID 21622625 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors González-Barrio R, Edwards CA, Crozier A
A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of an Anthocyanin-Maqui Berry Extract (Delphinol®) on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers.2015 Journal of the American College of NutritionPMID 26400431 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Davinelli S, Bertoglio JC, Zarrelli A, Pina R, Scapagnini G
Plasma and urine responses are lower for acylated vs nonacylated anthocyanins from raw and cooked purple carrots.2005 Journal of agricultural and food chemistryPMID 16076146 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Kurilich AC, Clevidence BA, Britz SJ, Simon PW, Novotny JA
A CONSORT-compliant, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of purified anthocyanin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.2015 MedicinePMID 25997043 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Zhang PW, Chen FX, Li D, Ling WH, Guo HH
Blueberries decrease cardiovascular risk factors in obese men and women with metabolic syndrome.2010 The Journal of nutritionPMID 20660279 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Basu A, Du M, Leyva MJ, Sanchez K, Betts NM, Wu M et al.

The literature map is an index of research questions and references. Individual assessment of results, doses, funding and COI is limited to the detailed study records. Related reports from the same trial may be included; paper counts are not counts of independent trials.

Explore the research Study Records

Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.

Study RecordPMID 31136659

Blueberries improve biomarkers of cardiometabolic function in participants with metabolic syndrome-results from a 6-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

PubMed 31136659 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy380

Authors: Curtis PJ, van der Velpen V, Berends L, Jennings A, Feelisch M, Umpleby AM, Evans M, Fernandez BO, Meiss MS, Minnion M, Potter J, Minihane AM, Kay CD, Rimm EB, Cassidy A.
Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition
Publication year: 2019
Study design: Double-blind, parallel-group randomized trial
Participants: 115 adults with metabolic syndrome
Dose and intervention: Freeze-dried blueberry powder equivalent to 75 or 150 g/day of fresh fruit (182 or 364 mg anthocyanins), versus matched placebo.
Duration: 6 months
Outcomes and their role in the study: Primary: insulin resistance assessed by HOMA-IR. Vascular function and other measures were also assessed.
Findings: The primary insulin resistance measure did not change. Vascular endothelial function and some other measures improved in the 150 g-equivalent group; no improvements were found in the 75 g-equivalent group.
Limitations: A whole-food intervention cannot isolate the effect of anthocyanins. Cardiovascular event reduction was not directly measured.
Funding: US Highbush Blueberry Council, with USDA oversight, and UK BBSRC support.
Conflict of Interest: Cassidy and Rimm advised the USHBC grant committee. The authors reported no relevant conflicts and no funder role in design, analysis or reporting.
Scope of source review: Primary-paper methods, relevant results, limitations and funding/COI checked on 2026-10-24. This record assesses the stated claims, not every analysis in the paper.

Cite this page

LÍFSVARÐA. Anthocyanins: Is a blueberry trial a trial of isolated anthocyanins? Version 1.1 / Updated 2026-10-24

https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/anthocyanins/

Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand).Editorial policy

Sources and updates

Curtis PJ, van der Velpen V, Berends L, Jennings A, Feelisch M, Umpleby AM, Evans M, Fernandez BO, Meiss MS, Minnion M, Potter J, Minihane AM, Kay CD, Rimm EB, Cassidy A. (2019). Blueberries improve biomarkers of cardiometabolic function in participants with metabolic syndrome-results from a 6-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.Primary-paper methods, relevant results, limitations and funding/COI checked on 2026-10-24. This record assesses the stated claims, not every analysis in the paper.

First published: 2026-09-21 / Version 1.1. Updated 2026-09-23: Added a research comparison table and links to design records. Source notes identify the scope of verification when the full paper has not been reviewed. Research summaries and LÍFSVARÐA’s interpretation are distinguished.

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