The consumption of berries should be daily and ideally fresh fruit
Preventing diseases through a healthy diet is a change of habit that is increasingly assumed by the population. As explained by 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 a greater consumption of foods rich in flavonoids are derived from the ability of these compounds to "oppose the oxidizing action that, in excessive formation, free radicals have in cells."
"Flavonoids, when consumed on a regular basis (ideally daily) and in the form of foods that contain them the most (see portalantioxidantes.com), can bring a series of health benefits, including a significant reduction of the risk of development of various cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and certain types of cancer. In the case of berries, there is currently abundant epidemiological and clinical evidence on its benefits”.
It specifies that the consumption of berries (blueberries, blackberries, murtilla and strawberries) should be regularly and ideally from fruit in its fresh state. "Alternatively, a comparable benefit could be expected when individually frozen berries are consumed instead of fresh berries, although for this it is essential that the frozen product report, on its label or label, or certify that the flavonoid content it has (generally expressed as total polyphenol content) is comparable to that present in the same fruits in their fresh state.
“Although some extracts and/or freeze-dried products 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 of flavonoids, generated by the laboratory of an independent institution of the actors of the chain of production and commercialization of the same. To this end, "INTA's Antioxidant Analysis Laboratory, the only one nationwide to have achieved ISO-17025 accreditation for its methodologies, regularly offers analysis and technical guidance services to producers and innovators in the agri-food industry."
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 agent (potentially antithrombotic), hypocholesterolemic (potentially antiatherogenic-atherosclerosis), antihyperglycemic (potentially favorable in diabetics). "Some benefits of a diet rich in flavonoid-type polyphenols have also been 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.
Asked about world trends, she explains, for example, that organic berries show growth in consumption of 17 to 20% per year. Likewise, it highlights the innovations in packaging systems that incorporate changes both in their materiality and design as well as in their properties, considering that they are fruits with a limited post-harvest life. The 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.
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