Do blueberries reduce Crohn's symptoms?

Blueberry from Wikipedia

Blueberries from the world's healthiest foods

"Protective Effect of Anthocyanins Extract from Blueberry on TNBS-Induced IBD Model of Mice" in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2011) [full article]

"Blueberries are among the fruits that are best recognized for their potential health benefits [1], and many of the heath-promoting properties of blueberries are thought to be attributable to anthocyanins that structurally belong to the natural products of flavonoids (Figure 1). Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that might appear as red, purple or blue pigments according to their pH levels and are present in blueberries at high concentrations [2]. Anthocyanins from blueberries are also used as anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and rhodophylactic agents, and the principal therapeutic benefits attributable to anthocyanins include antioxidant protection and maintenance of DNA integrity [3, 4].

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Thus, evaluation of the protective effect of anthocyanins extract of blueberry on IBD might shed light on drug discovery or alternative therapy for IBD treatment.

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Our results suggest that the protective effect of anthocyanins extract may be linked to the re-equilibration of the irregular expression of cytokines induced by colitis. Therefore, we can presume that the high-dose intake of anthocyanins extract from blueberries (or blueberries) can have some beneficial effects on IBD."

Anthocyanin on Wikipedia

"Studies on apple and blueberry fruit constituents: Do the polyphenols reach the colon after ingestion?" in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2006)
"The aim of our studies was to determine the amount of polyphenols reaching the colon after oral intake of apple juice and blueberries.... A higher amount of the blueberry anthocyanins under study (up to 85%, depending on the sugar moiety) were determined in the ileostomy bags and therefore would reach the colon under physiological circumstances. Such structure-related availability has to be considered when polyphenols are used in model systems to study potential preventive effects in colorectal diseases."

Probiotics and Blueberry Attenuate the Severity of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis in Digestive Diseases and Sciences (2008)
"Cecal Enterobacteriaceae count decreased significantly in blueberry with and without probiotics compared to the other groups."

"Chemoprevention of Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Induced Carcinogenesis in Rodent Models by Berries" in Berries and Cancer Prevention (2011)
"Long-term chronic inflammation including inflammatory bowel disease is a well-recognized risk factor for cancer development. Fresh fruits, particularly berries, have been well documented as having protective effects against inflammation and cancer development. There are several key elements in the berries with functions against cancer, including vitamins (A, C, E, and folic acid), minerals (calcium and selenium), phenol compounds (particularly ellagic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, quercetin and anthocyanins), phytosterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol) and oligosaccharides. This chapter focuses on linking berries to chronic colitis-induced carcinogenesis from experimental evidence to potential usefulness on cancer prevention and treatment."

"Influence of dietary blueberry and broccoli on cecal microbiota activity and colon morphology in mdr1a−/− mice, a model of inflammatory bowel diseases" in Nutrition (2012)
"In comparison to mice fed the control diet, blueberry and broccoli supplementation altered cecum microbiota similarly with the exception of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which was found to be significantly lower in broccoli-fed mice. High concentrations of butyric acid and low concentrations of succinic acid were observed in the cecum of broccoli-fed mice. Blueberry- and broccoli-supplemented diets increased colon crypt size and the number of goblet cells per crypt. Only the broccoli-supplemented diet significantly lowered colonic inflammation compared to mice fed the control diet. Translocation of total microbes to mesenteric lymph nodes was lower in broccoli-fed mice compared to blueberry and control diet groups."