Blueberry Polyphenols and Their Effects on Bone and Joint

Abstract

E-mail: dan.jones@indwes.edu In addition to their pleasing taste, blueberries are a significant source of flavonoid Special Edition 2 polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. This review summarizes findings regarding anthocyanin Article Ref. #: 1000AFTNSOJSE2104 content and bioavailability from blueberries. Blueberries possess a remarkable variety of an- thocyanins. Of this array the major ones are reviewed in terms of their chemical structures. In Article History vitro and in vivo studies are presented that indicate blueberry anthocyanins have the potential to Received: February 12th, 2016 improve the balance between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. These Accepted: March 10th, 2016 are promising results that suggest a potential role for blueberry anthocyanins in preventing Published: March 11th, 2016 osteoporosis. Reports that directly measure blueberry anthocyanin effects on joint are not wide- spread; however, multiple studies that measure effects from isolated anthocyanins common to the blueberry but from other foods are reviewed. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies on Citation anthocyanin effects in joint tissue show positive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Fu- Jones DR. Blueberry polyphenols and ture research areas involving anthocyanin metabolite studies, genetic manipulation to improve their effects on bone and joint. Adv Food Technol Nutr Sci Open J. 2016; anthocyanin profile, and processing technologies to preserve beneficial anthocyanins are briefly explored in closing. SOJ-SE-2-104