The present work explores the influence of the mesoscale structures on simulated hydrodynamics including turbulent properties in a bubbling fluidized bed. A bubble based energy minimization multiscale (EMMS) approach has been used to account for heterogeneous structures. Simulations have been performed using the Gidaspow drag model and an EMMS bubble based drag model which accounts for the mesoscale structures via the heterogeneous index. A comparative study between the models in terms of the predicted fluidization behavior, solids volume fraction distribution, bed pressure drop, intermittency index, granular temperatures, and turbulent properties has been done in order to understand the effect of the mesoscale on the predicted quantities. Our study reveals that a multiscale modeling approach is necessary to predict correct bubbling fluidized bed hydrodynamics and transport properties. Simulated particle velocities and granular temperatures agree fairly well with experimental data and empirical correlations from the open literature.