These days, berries are ripe for the picking, as the love affair with these colorful little treats has moved beyond simple picked-fruit consumption and into a variety of products from foods to beverages, and even supplements. Aesthetic and flavor appeal has always been there, but an increasing crop of research results suggesting powerful health benefits for various berries and berry-base ingredients is driving new applications for these wonderful little fruits.
After taste and visual appeal, antioxidant content is a huge driver for berry products. “Consumers seem to understand the importance of dark-pigmented fruits and berries’ abundance in antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids,” said Matt Phillips, president of Cyvex Nutrition. “The recent Welch’s and Ocean Spray TV campaigns seek to educate general consumers on these benefits, with similar messaging included on an increasing number of products available at mass-market grocers.”
Among the flavonoids in berries is a group of compounds called anthocyanins, which provide the fruits with their vibrant, rich blue, red or purple colors. Dimitri Papadimitriou, Ph.D., Arevno Consulting, who has conducted and reviewed research on various berries, noted anthocyanins may work on their own or synergistically with other flavonoids and phytochemicals to address oxidative factors throughout the body. This includes oxidation in the brain, eyes and cardiovascular system, in addition to targeting general oxidative stress.
One of the first berries that come to mind is the blueberry—the longtime baked goods and breakfast food staple. Tom Payne, industry specialist for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council confirmed antioxidant content is the main driver in the blueberry market, according to results of the council’s consumer research in four regions of the country showing consumers identify blueberries with antioxidants and believe blueberries to be healthy. “They see blueberries on virtually every list of superfruits,” he noted. “This is an advantage for food designers when they add blueberries to their products and/or feature them on labels.”
There are about 16 species of blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium), and their benefits are similarly numerous. Blueberry anthocyanins are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and they have been credited with protecting neuronal1 and brain function, and memory;2 as well as improving glucose control.3
Grapes, technically berries, also address glucose-related conditions, including metabolic syndrome factors, but this berry is well-known for cardiovascular health benefits, such as blood pressure and inflammation.4
Other berries affect some of these factors as well. Chokeberries appear to improve blood sugar control and insulin function,5 not to mention positive results on obesity and potentially protective actions on cancer, gastric disease and pancreatitis.6 The Brazilian-based açaí berry has also addressed blood sugar and insulin levels, in addition to lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol, among the several factors associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke.7,8 Bilberry has inflammation as its target, namely uveitis (ocular inflammation).9 It also protects the eyes from oxidative problems by raising levels of various antioxidants, including vitamin C and superoxide dismutase (SOD).10 Still other berries, especially exotic varieties such as goji and maqui berries, have garnered attention for antioxidant content and actions.11,12
Tiffany Kiro, Thion Global, said macqui had one of the highest ORAC values (measure of antioxidant status in test tube) among superfruits. "It has very high delphinidin content in its anthocyanin composition, which is one of the strongest active compounds," she noted.
