Blueberries Boost Immunity and Cut Allergies in Infants.

In 2025, Carina Venter and a team from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus studied 84 healthy infants. They randomly gave one group freeze-dried blueberry powder from 5-6 months old, mixed into food, while the control group got no blueberries. They tracked allergies like eczema or food reactions, immune markers in blood, and gut bacteria via stool samples over 6 months.

The blueberry group had fewer allergies—5% eczema vs. 18% in controls—and better immune responses, like higher IL-13 levels to help fight allergens. Their gut had more helpful bacteria like Firmicutes, linked to stronger immunity and less inflammation.

Give babies blueberries early, like in purees, to potentially lower allergy risks.