Parents often wonder what foods are best to introduce when babies start solids. New research suggests blueberries may deserve a spot on that list.
In the first clinical trial to rigorously test a specific food in infants, researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz found that adding blueberries to babies’ diets supported healthier gut bacteria, stronger immune markers and even reduced allergy symptoms. The study, published in Nutrients and Frontiers in Nutrition, was funded in part by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, along with the National Institutes of Health and Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“For parents beginning to wean their infants, it’s incredibly difficult to find solid, research-backed advice on what foods to introduce,” said senior author Minghua Tang, PhD, an adjoint associate professor of pediatrics at CU Anschutz. “This study is a critical first step in filling that gap by offering real data on how a specific food like blueberries can improve your infant’s health.”
The trial followed 61 infants in Denver between 5 and 12 months of age. Each day, parents mixed either freeze-dried blueberry powder or a placebo into their babies’ meals. Researchers monitored gut bacteria, immune markers, allergy outcomes, growth and dietary habits over several months.
Infants given blueberry powder showed:
Fewer allergy symptoms (pre-existing, not caused by blueberries)
Lower levels of inflammation
Positive changes in gut microbiota linked to immune health
“This research supports the idea that blueberries are not only safe for infants but also offer meaningful health benefits,” Tang said. “Just a few blueberries a day could make a difference in supporting long-term health. We view infancy as a critical window of opportunity and what we introduce during this time can have lasting effects as children grow.”
The study was small, and the authors stress that more research is needed before making broad recommendations. But the findings highlight how early foods can do more than provide calories; they may shape lifelong health.
For parents, safe preparation is key: puree blueberries for young infants and mash or cut them for older babies and toddlers to avoid choking hazards.