Kari Pilolla, associate professor in the Food Science and Nutrition Department and dietetic internship director, was awarded a two-year $50,000 grant from the Wild Blueberry Association of North America to assess the impact of wild blueberries on fat metabolism during activity. Pilolla and students will research the hypothesis that the phytochemicals in wild blueberries will facilitate the increase in reliance on fat for fuel rather than carbohydrates. Participants in the study will be asked to complete a series of fitness and metabolism assessments and then will be randomly assigned to consume one of two blueberry-flavored drinks (one is freeze-dried blueberry power and other is a blueberry-flavored powder control) for four weeks, then return for a similar series of fitness and metabolism assessments. Individuals who have been endurance training for more than two years for at least six to 10 hours a week will be recruited to participate in the study.