Consumption of Bilberries Controls Gingival Inflammation

Abstract

Bioactive molecules in berries may be helpful in reducing the risk of oral diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bilberry consumption on the outcome of a routine dental clinical parameter of inflammation, bleeding on probing (BOP), as well as the impact on selected biomarkers of inflammation, such as cytokines, in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in individuals with gingivitis. Study individuals who did not receive standard of care treatment were allocated to either a placebo group or to groups that consumed either 250 or 500 g bilberries daily over seven days. The placebo group consumed an inactive product (starch). A study group, receiving standard of care (debridement only) was also included to provide a reference to standard of care treatment outcome. Cytokine levels were assayed using the Luminex MagPix system. The mean reduction in BOP before and after consumption of test product over 1 week was 41% and 59% in the groups that consumed either 250 or 500 g of bilberries/day respectively, and was 31% in the placebo group, and 58% in the standard of care reference group. The analysis only showed a significant reduction in cytokine levels in the group that consumed 500 g of bilberries/day. A statistically significant reduction was observed for IL-1β (p = 0.025), IL-6 (p = 0.012) and VEGF (p = 0.017) in GCF samples in the group that consumed 500 g of bilberries daily. It appears that berry intake has an ameliorating effect on some markers of gingival inflammation reducing gingivitis to a similar extent compared to standard of care.

Effects of fruit and vegetables intake in periodontal diseases: A systematic review

“…The age of the participants in the studies ranged from 15 to 90 years. One study was conducted with children and teenagers, 29 15 studies involved adults, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] while older adults (≥65 years) participated in 9 studies. 22,24,25,27,28,[31][32][33]36 One study included pregnant women.…”

“…Our review found 4 such dietary intervention studies. 22,[32][33][34] In the study by Staudte et al, it was found that incorporation of 2 servings of grapefruit (500 g) into the diet of smoking and nonsmoking patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis resulted in a significant increase in blood serum vitamin C concentration after a 2-week intervention in comparison to a control group consuming a usual diet. 22 Moreover, among diseased nonsmokers, a significant reduction in the value of SBI was also observed.…”

“…22 Widén et al reported a significant reduction in BOP, as well as in the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) and VEGF in GCF among individuals with gingivitis who consumed 500 g bilberries per week in comparison to controls receiving a placebo. 34 Moreover, it was stated that the intake of 500 g bilberries caused similar changes in BOP as did standard of care therapy (debridement only). 34 Significant improvements in the PPD and BOP values were observed after only 2 months in patients suffering from chronic periodontitis who received nonsurgical treatment and freeze-dried F&V. 32 In a 6-month study conducted by Zare Javid et al among adults suffering from chronic periodontitis who had completed nonsurgical treatment, nutritional education activities focusing on adequate intake of F&V (≥5 servings daily) were linked with a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity, as measured by the TEAC assay, compared to the control group.…”

Anticancer effects of Bilberry anthocyanins compared with NutraNanoSphere encapsulated Bilberry anthocyanins

“…Besides its role in fighting cancer, Bilberry is an effective support against type 2 Diabetes (12-15), vision improvement (16)(17)(18), obesity (19)(20)(21), cancer prevention (22)(23)(24), ulcerative colitis (25), anti-inflammatory (26,27), antioxidant (28,29), and gingival inflammation (30).…”

Ernährung und parodontale Gesundheit

“…Sekundäre Pflanzenstoffe dienen nicht dem Energiehaushalt, haben aber vielfältige Wirkungen als Antioxidanzien oder antibakterielle Stoffe. Für die Polyphenole konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass diese die Plaquebildung stören und auch gingivale Entzündungen reduzieren können [47,48]. In großen Mengen sind diese in farbigem Obst und Gemüse enthalten, wie unter anderem in Blaubeeren oder in roten Weintrauben.…”