Effects of red and purple berries on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes: Bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on the effects of red and purple berries on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and Type 2 diabetes between 2016 and 2025. Material and Methods: Publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases were retrieved using a predefined search strategy. Only English-language original research articles and review papers were included, while conference proceedings, early access papers, and non-relevant studies were excluded. After removing duplicates, a total of 1,726 publications were analyzed using the Bibliometrix R package and Biblioshiny, with additional visualization support from Microsoft Excel. Results: The findings demonstrated a steady increase in scientific output, with an annual growth rate of 5.91% across 598 sources. A total of 7,569 authors contributed to the literature, with a high level of collaborative research. The most productive journals included Nutrients, Journal of Functional Foods, and Food & Function. Keyword analysis revealed that diabetes, obesity, inflammation, and polyphenols were dominant research themes, while emerging topics included gut microbiota and precision nutrition. Thematic analysis indicated a growing focus on mechanistic pathways and bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins. Conclusion: Research on red and purple berries and metabolic health has expanded considerably over the past decade, with increasing emphasis on mechanistic and interdisciplinary approaches. However, the predominance of review articles among the most highly cited publications highlights the need for more well-designed experimental and clinical research. Future studies should focus on strengthening the evidence base and advancing personalized nutrition strategies for the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes.