The Blueberry Study

Plasma and Urine Profiles of Blueberry Derived Polyphenols After a Short Term Intervention With Blueberry in Children With Typical Low Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

This is a research study about the effects of blueberries on the health of children who do not eat much fruits and vegetables. By doing this study, we hope to find out what nutrients from blueberries appear in the blood and urine of the child

This is a double blinded randomized control trial aiming to characterize the profile of polyphenol-derived metabolites in plasma and urine for children ages 11-12 years supplemented short term with wild blueberry powder. The study will assess if a short-term supplementation (5 days) with wild blueberry powder impacts immune responses as well as markers for cardiovascular and bone health. Up to 44 children will be recruited. The participants will attend three visits at Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eats <1.5 cup of fruit and <2.0 cup of vegetables per day
• Boys or girls
• All ethnicities
• All BMIs

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergy to blueberries
• Epilepsy
• Asthma
• Chronic kidney disease
• Hormonal disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Bleeding disorders
• Chronic infections
• Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Opposition defiant disorder
• Autistic spectrum disorder
• Pre-existing medical conditions or medications as determined by the investigators to affect the outcomes of interest
• If the participants/parents perceive barriers with adhering to low-polyphenol meals
• Parent or child refusal to stop nutritional supplements
• Parent or child refusal to have blood drawn