Intervention and comparator details, blinding/compliance, and adverse events.
| Author | Intervention (dose, formulation) | Polyphenol/Anthocyanin content | Comparator | Blinding & compliance | Adverse events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Du et al. [66] | 40 g freeze-dried whole blueberry powder daily (two 20 g packets/day), reconstituted in water | Not reported | 40 g placebo powder daily, maltodextrin-based and matched for appearance and energy/carbohydrate content | Double-blind; compliance tracked with daily calendars and follow-up calls, but no numeric adherence reported | Not reported |
| Basu et al. [67] | 50 g/day freeze-dried strawberry powder, reconstituted in water | 1,585 mg total polyphenols; 66 mg anthocyanins; 220 mg ellagic acid | 50 g/day matched control powder (75 mg polyphenols; 172 kcal; 38 g carbohydrate; 5 g fibre) | Double-blind cross-over; 2-week washout; compliance 100% for strawberry phase and 97% for control phase; plasma ellagic acid used as an objective compliance marker | None reported |
| Schell et al. [68] | 50 g/day freeze-dried strawberry powder, reconstituted in water | 1,585 mg total polyphenols; 66 mg anthocyanins; 220 mg ellagic acid | 50 g/day matched control powder (75 mg polyphenols; 172 kcal; 38 g carbohydrate; 5 g fibre) | Double-blind cross-over; 2-week washout; compliance 100% for strawberry phase and 97% for control phase; plasma ellagic acid used as an objective compliance marker | None reported |
| Schumacher et al. [69] | 2 × 8 oz/day tart cherry juice blend (> 90% cherry juice mixed with apple juice) | At least 450 mg phenolics and ≥ 30 mg anthocyanins per 8 oz bottle (≥ 900 mg phenolics and ≥ 60 mg anthocyanins/day) | Matched cherry-flavoured placebo beverage (Kool-Aid base; 13° Brix; 31 g sugar/serving) | Double-blind cross-over; 1-week washout; compliance 92% ± 16% for cherry juice and 89% ± 17% for placebo; blinding judged adequate | Cherry phase: 4 AEs (possible cherry allergy, GI symptoms, low back injury, elevated blood glucose); placebo phase: 3 AEs |
| Kuehl et al. [70] | 2 × 10.5 oz/day tart cherry juice (Montmorency), morning and evening | At least 600 mg phenolics and ≥ 40 mg anthocyanins per 10.5 oz bottle | Matched placebo cherry drink (13° Brix), matched for calorie content, flavour, and consistency | Double-blind; treatment assignments concealed until study completion; no numeric compliance data reported | 1 withdrawal during placebo phase due to nausea and diarrhea; no tart cherry-specific adverse event reported |
| Ghoochani et al. [71] | 200 mL/day sugar- and additive-free pomegranate juice | Not reported | Control group maintained usual lifestyle/diet; no placebo beverage | No placebo; no blinding; compliance not reported | Not reported |
Note. For cross-over trials, comparator, compliance, and adverse-event information is summarized across both phases where the publication reported phase-specific data.