Blueberries are not anti-inflammatory drugs, avoiding pitfalls in fruit based dietary therapy
2026-04-16
At present, fresh blueberries are on the market in large quantities, and there has been a lot of discussion about the claims that "blueberries can reduce inflammation" and "blueberries are comparable to anti-inflammatory drugs". Experts remind that although blueberries are rich in beneficial ingredients such as anthocyanins and vitamin C, they cannot replace anti-inflammatory drugs. If consumed improperly, they may bring other health risks. Tan Guijun, director of the Nutrition Department of Tianjin First Central Hospital, said that in modern medical research, free radicals are associated with chronic inflammation, aging, diabetes, cancer, etc., while blueberries are rich in blueberry anthocyanins and anthocyanins, which have antioxidant, free radical scavenging, vision improvement and other functions. But the so-called 'anti-inflammatory' effect of blueberries is not equivalent to anti-inflammatory drugs. ”Tan Guijun stated that oxidative stress can cause damage to cells in the body, leading to inflammatory reactions; Conversely, inflammation can also produce reactive oxygen species and disrupt immune mechanisms. The anti-inflammatory effect of blueberries is essentially achieved through the use of flavonoids (anthocyanins and blueberry anthocyanins) to resist oxidation, reduce oxidative damage, and to some extent inhibit the production of inflammatory factors, thereby enhancing immunity and resisting chronic inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory mechanism is different from that of anti-inflammatory drugs. Moderate consumption of blueberries does have a certain auxiliary effect on controlling chronic low-grade inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, etc., but the absorption of anthocyanins in the intestine is limited. When acute inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infections occurs in the human body, blueberries should never be used as a substitute for anti-inflammatory drugs. The practice of consuming a large amount of blueberries to suppress inflammatory factors is also not advisable. Qi Jingtian, director of the Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic at Nankai Hospital in Tianjin, stated that from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, consuming blueberries in large quantities may worsen symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea for those with a cold nature and spleen and stomach deficiency. In addition, blueberries contain a certain amount of sugar, and excessive consumption of them by diabetes patients may affect blood sugar. Experts further remind that the pursuit of health should not be placed on a single fruit. Currently, many people, in pursuit of "light food health" or "fruit therapy", often use fruit salads and smoothies instead of regular meals, or consume large amounts of certain fruits in a short period of time to obtain specific nutrients. Experts say that these practices may pose health risks to the body. For example, hawthorn is rich in organic acids and flavonoids, which can help with digestion and lower blood lipids. However, a large amount of organic acids (such as citric acid and malic acid) can stimulate gastric acid secretion, which can cause discomfort in the stomach when consumed on an empty stomach or in excess, especially for patients with gastritis and gastric ulcers. It may worsen the condition, and excessive intake of fruit acids and dietary fiber can accelerate intestinal peristalsis, leading to diarrhea. Litchi is rich in vitamin C and potassium, which have certain effects on antioxidant and electrolyte balance regulation. However, consuming a large amount on an empty stomach may cause "lychee disease". The accumulation of fructose in lychee can stimulate excessive insulin secretion, which may lead to hypoglycemia and symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and palpitations. To avoid "dietary therapy" turning into "food injury", experts suggest that any fruit should be consumed in moderation, while also paying attention to a balanced diet. Tan Guijun said that the premise of a healthy diet is a diverse and reasonable combination of foods. The daily diet should include grains, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, livestock, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and beans. The intake of fresh fruits should be between 200g and 350g, and fruit juice cannot replace fresh fruits. In addition, the types of fruits consumed should also be more diverse, with a small amount of each but a variety of varieties, to ensure a more diverse intake of nutrients. Experts suggest that the effects of a healthy diet are subtle and require long-term persistence. A scientific diet should be diverse, moderate, and tailored to individual needs, combined with good habits such as regular sleep and moderate exercise. One should not deify any particular food in daily life, and should not rely on eating a large amount of fruits as a substitute for medicine or treatment when health problems arise. (New Society)
Edit:WENWEN Responsible editor:LINXUAN
Source:Xinhua News Agency
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email:lwxsd@liaowanghn.com