The consumption of berries should be daily and ideally fresh fruit
Preventing diseases through healthy eating is a habit change increasingly accepted by the population. According to Dr. Hernán Speisky, professor at the University of Chile and director of the Antioxidant Laboratory of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), "the benefits associated with greater consumption of foods rich in flavonoids arise from the ability that these compounds have to "oppose the oxidative action that, in excessive formation, free radicals have in cells."
«Flavonoids, when consumed regularly (ideally daily) and in the form of foods that contain them the most (see portalantioxidantes.com), can bring with them a series of health benefits, including a significant reducing the risk of developing various cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and certain types of cancer. In the case of berries, there is currently abundant epidemiological and clinical evidence about their benefits.
It specifies that the consumption of berries (blueberries, blackberries, murtilla and strawberries) should be regular and ideally from fruit in its fresh state. «Alternatively, a comparable benefit could be expected when, instead of fresh berries, individually frozen berries are consumed, although for this it is essential that the frozen product states, in its labeling or label, or certifies that the flavonoid content it has (generally expressed as total polyphenol content) is comparable to that which is present in the same fruits in their fresh state.
«Although some extracts and/or freeze-dried extracts of the mentioned berries, as well as others obtained from maqui, murtilla and calafate, are also potentially beneficial, before extending the benefits of such products, direct scientific evidence obtained after their use must be available. administration to humans for each case.
He adds that to assume that "from their composition" these preparations are, like fresh berries, a very good source of flavonoids, the packaging of these products must have data on the content of total polyphenols, and ideally flavonoids, generated by the laboratory of an institution independent of the actors in their production and marketing chain. To this end, "the INTA Antioxidant Analysis Laboratory, the only one at the national level to have achieved ISO-17025 accreditation for its methodologies, regularly offers analysis services and technical guidance to producers and innovators in the agri-food sector."
In addition to controlling the oxidative action of free radicals, flavonoids, when consumed in the form of foods that contain them the most (certainly including berries) can exert other actions. Among these, anti-inflammatory (with potential benefit for a variety of chronic pathologies), vasodilator (potentially antihypertensive), antiplatelet (potentially antithrombotic), hypocholesterolemic (potentially antiatherogenic-atherosclerosis), antihyperglycemic (potentially favorable in diabetics). "Some benefits of a diet rich in flavonoid-type polyphenols are also reported in individuals at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases," says the INTA expert.
Likewise, INTA's Antioxidant Analysis Laboratory, working with several companies, has helped to define the potential of native berries, such as maqui, murtilla and calafate.
WORLD EXPORTER
Verónica Larenas, Head of Projects Safety and Quality, Food and Aquaculture of Fundación Chile, highlights that our country has managed to position itself as one of the world's leading exporters of berries, highlighting shipments of blueberries, both fresh and frozen and frozen raspberries.
When asked about global trends, she explains, for example, that organic berries show a growth in consumption of 17 to 20% annually. Likewise, it highlights innovations in packaging systems that incorporate changes in both their materiality and design as well as their properties, considering that they are fruits with limited post-harvest life. Global interest in superfood and “natural” foods is also a trend.
Regarding the challenges of Chilean berries, Verónica Larenas points out that they are of three types: agronomic, such as the replacement of varieties, mechanized harvesting and automation of some agricultural work, and improving productivity per hectare; in quality and safety, with good harvest and post-harvest practices so that the fruit reaches its destination with the best quality and safety possible, attributes that allow Chile to differentiate itself from the competition; and in leadership, maintain this position, considering new actors such as Peru.
Previous article
Agrometeorological Alert No. 9 - Chile 2018ARTÍCULOS RELACIONADOS
