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Blueberry Supplement Side Effects

Blueberry supplements available as concentrated tinctures or as dried leaves for tea are natural antioxidant products with widespread effects on the body. Blueberry use has been associated with reduced progression of many chronic diseases, fewer urinary tract infections and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. These benefits are tempered by side effects and drug interactions that range from mild to serious with long-term use.

  1. Effects

    • Blueberries contain anthocyanosides, which strengthen blood vessels and have antioxidant properties, and blueberry leaves contains high amounts of tannins, which are strong antioxidants. Antioxidants work in the body by reducing free radicals that damage cells and lead to deterioration in numerous body systems (e.g., the nervous system). Plant sterols in blueberry bind to receptors to decrease free cholesterol in the blood; additionally, blueberry relaxes blood vessels to decrease blood pressure, increases neuron growth, and causes an astringent or drying effect to counteract diarrhea.

    Doses

    • Blueberry supplements are taken as 5 mL of concentrated liquid tincture up to three times daily or as 1-2 teaspoons of dried leaves steeped in 1 cup of hot water as a tea. Up to six cups of tea have reportedly been used in a day.

    Side Effects

    • One possible side effect of the blueberry is a laxative effect at high doses. At the doses provided, no other side effects have been reported from use of the tincture or tea.

    Overdose Effects

    • Chronic use or one-time high doses of blueberry supplement can damage the kidney and liver. Esophageal and mouth cancers are possible with overdose as well.

    Interactions

    • Although blueberry supplements have been suggested as useful to treat diabetes, the anthocyanosides in blueberry interact with insulin and with other diabetic medications. Bilberry, a very similar plant to blueberry, has been studied more extensively for its anthocyanoside use; many interactions between bilberry and diabetic medications or medications that thin the blood have been identified.

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