Blueberries Fight Gum Disease

Blueberries are well-known to be rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants, but scientists have discovered another benefit of the fruit: preventing dental plaque formation. In a study, which appears in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, scientists tested extracts from the wild lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Ait., against Fusobacterium nucleatum, one of the main species of bacteria associated with periodontitis (inflammation of tissue around the teeth). Rich in polyphenols, which work against foodborne pathogens, the wild blueberry extract successfully inhibited the growth of the bacteria as well as the bacteria’s ability to form plaque. The extracts also blocked a molecular pathway involved in inflammation, a key part of gum disease. The researchers say they’re developing an oral device that could slowly release the extract after deep cleaning to treat periodontitis and reduce the need for antibiotics.