Berry Fruits and Their Improving Potential on Skeletal Muscle Health and Performance: A Systematic Review of the Evidence in Animal and in Human Studies

Abstract

The well-established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of red fruits leave room for a biological pathway of improved muscle health promoted by berries in the diet. Our objective was to systematically review the number of trials conducted on human and animal species around the relationship between a berry diet and muscle health outcomes. Two independent examiners conducted a search for studies that utilized keywords associated with muscle health outcomes and a berry-based diet in both human and animal trials, in accordance with the PRISMA statement guidelines. The literature was searched through six electronic databases until December 2023. Screening of 152 retrieved articles resulted in a final selection of 16 reports investigating the effect of exposure to a berry-based diet and skeletal muscle health outcomes. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023479682). Among the selected studies, nine involved humans and seven animal models (rats and mice). Overall, most of the studies reported positive effects on performance or muscle health. Specifically, five studies investigated the possible effects of blackcurrant on active human subjects or athletes; three studies focused on blueberry and presented results on running performance (human sample) and muscle health (rat models). The rest of the studies involved raspberries (two studies, rat models), aronia (one study, rat models), elderberry (one study, rat models), and a mixed compound (one study, rat models). In conclusion, there is some early evidence that a berry-rich diet may increase performance or muscle health, but more research is needed to fully understand the underlying biological trajectories, and thus, no firm conclusions can yet be drawn.