Power to the Purple

Wellness Foods, FoodProcessing.com

Berries have bounced their way into cereals, energy bars and beverages. Check out how far they’ve come when it comes to being a favorite healthful ingredient.

By David Feder, R.D., Editor

In a study of wild blueberries published last spring in the Journal of Food Science, the berries' phenolic compounds demonstrated activity at all stages of cancer.

The first baker to put blueberries into muffins had a very good idea. And all the new cereals with freeze-dried strawberries and raspberries? Also a very good idea. Of course, granola and meal bars wouldn’t be the same without dried fruit, especially cranberries. But strawberry or blueberry popcorn?

In fact, berry-flavored popcorn, a novelty popcorn item in blueberry and strawberry recently introduced by Proud Poppin Parents, Owensboro, Ky., may be the most unique application of berries in a product in a long time. But berries are finding their way into more and more health-oriented foods. And that’s a good thing.

“Berries are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber and a wonderful option for reaching the 5 cups of fruits and vegetables most moderately active adults and teens should aim for every day,” says Christine E. Filardo, M.S., R.D., director of public relations for the Produce for Better Health Foundation (www.5aday.com), Wilmington, Del. According to the foundation, Americans need to more than double the amount of fruits and vegetables they eat to meet the healthy eating recommendations in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Small Fruit, Big Benefits

Berries are rich sources of folate, an important B vitamin that protects against birth defects. Strawberries are especially good sources of folate, now known to protect against heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels in the blood. One study reported that taking 800 mcg of folic acid for three years slowed cognitive decline and preserved memory in seniors.

The berries-health connection is well established by now. The hundreds of phytochemical compounds found throughout the berry spectrum have generated thousands of studies attesting to significant benefits in helping to prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease, as well as diseases and degeneration of the eyes and nervous system. That would be enough to entice anyone with an interest in wellness. And continued research is upping the already attractive berry ante significantly.

“The Strawberry Commission (www.calstrawberry.com) is currently funding a major multiyear nutrition research program, involving a number of researchers across the country,” says Mary De Groat, director of public relations for the Watsonville, Calif., group. “We currently have an animal study being conducted at Tufts University on strawberries and memory. We’re learning that the anti-inflammatory effects of strawberries which help protect the heart may also aid memory function.” Strawberries and other berries can also help prevent cataracts and may help protect the brain against developing Alzheimer's disease.

More Than Meets the Rabbit Eye

Prevention of disease is good. Reversing the effects of disease, especially cancer, is better. Blueberries are just one of the berries showing that potential. In a study of wild blueberries published last spring in the Journal of Food Science, wild blueberry phenolic compounds demonstrated activity at all stages of cancer — initiation, promotion and proliferation. According to the study, different types of the compounds were active during different stages of cancer, resulting in a broad spectrum of potential cancer-fighting benefits.

Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (www.blueberry.org) provides a wealth of research on blueberries and health, including studies on the specific phytochemical components of berries. Anthocyanins, for example, are identified as one of the most important of these disease-fighting berry compounds. Anthocyanins are responsible for the red, blue and purple coloring in berries and other fruits.

According to the Council, anthocyanins are thought to be responsible for the major health benefits of berries. But with a dozen or so different phytochemicals in each berry type — phenolics, stilbenes, tocopherol, carotenes — the fact is berries of all sorts give some of the most concentrated nutritional bang for the buck.

Beverages such as True Blue are riding a wave of demand for blueberry products and their associated health benefits.

The council has noted that the blueberry-health connection “has resulted in escalating sales of blueberry-containing products.” Also, blueberry industry research has shown that “consumers want real blueberries in blueberry identified products.”

Another natural substance found in blueberries and similar to anthocyanins are anthocyanosides. These are bacteria-killing compounds believed to be lethal to E. coli, that infamous bacteria linked to numerous outbreaks of infection.