How they differ? Berries and Their Special Bioactivity

Edit by Yongyuan Bio Kiki 20220311

Blackcurrant: Comprehensive functions

Blackcurrant is considered a "super fruit" and is widely used in dietary supplements and food and beverages as an ingredient for eye care and beauty care, and is especially popular in the Japanese health care market, where the end-use market size is estimated to be about 5 billion yen.

In recent years, the anthocyanins C3R (Cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside) and D3R (delphinidin-3-rutinoside), which are unique to blackcurrant, have attracted the attention of the industry and have been used in brain health, menopausal syndrome, sports health, digestive health (anthocyanins of blackcurrant C3R and D3R also function as prebiotics supporting a healthy digestive system and intestinal flora).

Research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition confirms that the polyphenolic anthocyanins in blackcurrant significantly improve athletic performance (0.45%) over caffeine (0.41%) used by the average athlete, and peak in the bloodstream within 2 hours of consumption, activating the body's own cellular defense system, thus helping athletes better prepare and adapt to peak performance and recovery.

Aronia (Chokeberry): Antioxidant

Aronia (Chokeberry) is a very beneficial berry for human health.

It is rich in vitamins, minerals and one of the richest plant sources of phenolic substances, mainly proanthocyanidins and anthocyanidins. The fruit has certain health functions, among which the antioxidant effect is the most significant.

According to a USDA experiment, every 100g of Aronia (Chokeberry) contains 1480mg of proanthocyanidins and 1752mg of polyphenols. Among the 276 antioxidant fruits that participated in the scientific test, Aronia (Chokeberry) ranked first in antioxidant capacity, with an ORAC value of 16062 umol TE/100g, which is three times higher than blueberry and blackberry. This means that it is ahead of other berries in antioxidant capacity, with free radical scavenging and anti-aging effects.

Due to the widespread interest in the application of food, beverage, pharmaceutical and health care products, the supply of raw materials has exceeded the demand.

In Poland, black-fruited Adenophora extract is widely used for heart problems. In European countries such as France, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Russia, the extracts of Liriodendron spp. have become the most popular health products and medicines against hypertension and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems, and the juice drinks have a long history of popularity.

Cranberry: Used for urinary tract infection (UTI)

Unlike other berries, cranberry proanthocyanidins contain one or more A-type flavanyl bonds, and this unique A-type structure can play an effective antibacterial adhesion properties.

The most unique effect of cranberry is the prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI). A 1998 research report confirmed for the first time that the effective ingredient for urinary infection is proanthocyanidins isolated from cranberry. The proanthocyanidin content of cranberry is 34mg/100g, and numerous studies have shown that it has antibacterial and mucoadhesive properties that are effective in preventing urinary tract infections.

In addition, Proanthocyanidins are now internationally recognized as the most effective natural antioxidants for scavenging free radicals in the human body. Recent studies have shown that cranberries are effective in preventing urinary tract infections, fighting H. pylori, antioxidants, and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Elderberry: Enhance immunity

Innova Market Insight data shows that from 2017 to 2019, the market launch of new elderberry-related food and beverage products grown by 12% annually, while the new pandemic is driving a 400% increase in consumer demand for elderberry products. According to Technavio's analysts, the elderberry market will continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 7% by 2022.

Elderberry extract is rich in bioflavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamins and other substances with high antioxidant capacity, which have antiviral and immune boosting effects and have long been used for upper respiratory tract infections, as well as for cardiovascular diseases and cholesterol lowering. In addition, elderberry can also play a role in the field of sports nutrition. It can increase the level of nitrite in the blood and converted into nitric oxide, which play an important role in skeletal muscle blood flow, oxygen uptake and glucose operation during exercise by relaxing stomach muscles, relaxing blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, and lowering heart rate and improving oxygen utilization, thus significantly improving sports performance.

Elderberries have long been a popular ingredient in dietary supplements in the European and American markets. Now, elderberry supplements are appearing in various types of products, including tablets, gummies, powders and drops, giving consumers the flexibility to choose according to their needs. Functional claims of elderberry from the USA and Canada is mainly about immune support and respiratory health.

A large number of elderberry ingredients are also appearing in the functional foods segment. According to Innova, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are the areas with high elderberry applications, accounting for 16% of all elderberry products launched in 2019; in addition, hot beverages account for 8% of new elderberry product launches in 2019, and dairy products account for 9% of launches. Among berries, consumers are already widely familiar with blueberry yogurt and raspberry brewed tea, and adding elderberries to existing berry combinations is a very accessible way to make them palatable to consumers. As elderberries enter the mainstream food market, fruit teas and dairy products are expected to be the most promising areas.