00:00Could a daily serving of blueberries change your gut and your mood?
00:03A new pilot study from Hebrew Senior Life is the latest to ask.
00:07Researchers followed adults aged 65 and older who were physically inactive and had mild depressive symptoms.
00:14Half ate 48 grams of blueberry powder every day, about two cups of fresh berries,
00:19and half got a placebo powder for three months.
00:22Only 18 people finished, so this is very small.
00:25The blueberry group showed a more consistent drop in depressive symptoms.
00:30But the difference from placebo was not statistically significant.
00:33Overall, gut bacteria and short-chain fatty acids did not change, but some microbial enzyme genes did,
00:40including one involved in making GABA, a calming brain chemical.
00:44The authors say the findings do not show blueberries relieve depression, and larger studies are needed.
00:49So treat it as an interesting early clue, not a cure.
00:53And keep eating your fruit.
00:54Disclosure.
00:55This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
