ABSORB (Amount of Blueberries So Older Adults Reap Benefits)

NCT05937165 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: Pro00069826
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 6
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized, cross-over, pilot study aims to compare preliminary impact of a standard dose of blueberry powder (24 g) vs a higher dose (48 g) on the bioavailability of flavonoids and inflammatory biomarkers in older adults with minor levels of depressive symptoms.

Conditions

Depressive Symptoms; Aging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Urinary Flavonoid Biomarkers

  Change in total flavonoid metabolites found in the urine. The values for the metabolites represent the relative abundance of each metabolite, rather than absolute quantification, with higher values reflecting higher levels of total flavonoid metabolites in the urine.

  Baseline and Day 3 of intervention

• Inflammatory Biomarker C-reactive Protein

  Change in serum C-reactive Protein

  Baseline and Day 3 of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Inflammatory Biomarker Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

  Baseline and Day 3 of intervention

• Inflammatory Biomarker Interleukin 6

  Baseline and Day 3 of intervention

• Inflammatory Biomarker Interferon Gamma

  Baseline and Day 3 of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Standard Dose Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Consumption of 24 g of freeze dried blueberry powder for 3 consecutive days.

Other: Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder

Higher Dose Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder

EXPERIMENTAL

Consumption of 48 g of freeze dried blueberry powder for 3 consecutive days.

Other: Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder

Interventions

Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder OTHER

Three day consumption of two doses of freeze-dried blueberry powder

Higher Dose Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder; Standard Dose Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Men and women aged 65 years and older
• Minor levels of depressive symptoms (center for epidemiological studies depression scale, ≥4 and \<16 points)

You may not qualify if:

• Unwilling to follow the study protocol
• Cognitive impairment (assessed via the telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment) defined as individuals scoring \<19)
• Self-reporting a history of major depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, or other psychotic or neurologic disorders
• Self-reporting of history gastro-intestinal diseases/conditions e.g., of bowel resection, inflammatory bowel disease/syndrome, Celiac disease
• Self-reporting immune disorders, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and other immunocompromising conditions
• Self-reporting history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Self-reporting any history of substance or alcohol use disorder
• Allergy to blueberries
• Self-reporting use of anti-inflammatory (e.g., fish oil or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or immune-suppressant drugs
• Are excessive tea or coffee consumers (e.g., \>3 cups/day)
• Recent and consistent use of antibiotics
• Currently taking or advised during the intervention to take anti-depressants
• Current homicidal or suicidal ideation (assessed via the P4 Suicidality Screener
• All deviations must be approved by the study sponsor

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hebrew SeniorLife: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center

Roslindale, Massachusetts, 02131, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Limitations and Caveats

This data is used as hypothesis generating, and is a very small sample size. Interpret the results with caution. The data for interferon-gamma is delayed due to the assay kit being back-ordered. We hope to submit these results by January 2026.

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Courtney Millar
• Organization: Hebrew SeniorLife, Marcus Institute of Aging, Harvard Medical School

courtneymillar@hsl.harvard.edu

6179715531

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 29, 2023
• First Posted: July 10, 2023
• Study Start: October 31, 2023
• Primary Completion: November 25, 2024
• Study Completion: November 25, 2024
• Last Updated: December 15, 2025
• Results First Posted: December 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

US (1)