Effect of Hydro-Thermodynamic (HTD) Processed Blueberries on Postprandial Blood Glucose Control and Antioxidant Status in Human Adults

Canada's Food Guide (2007) recommended 7-10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day for a normal adult population. Although fruit juice (125 ml) is considered as one serving of fruits, the consumption of some fruit juices may be limited due to their high amount of sugar. The consumption of sugary drinks can lead to a rapid rise in postprandial glycaemia. Wild blueberries, due to their high level of anthocyanins, may provide multiple health benefits including improved blood glucose control, however, the consumption of fresh berries is limited by their short seasonal availability. Hydro-Thermodynamic (HTD) processing of blueberries allows the processing of whole berries including their skin and seeds into a beverage with the amount of anthocyanins comparable with fresh berries. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of HTD-processed blueberries on postprandial glycaemia and antioxidant activity.