The Science of Berry Nutrition: Positioning Health Research to Increase Sales
Overall health is on everyone’s minds these days, perhaps more than ever before. And, while many consumers have a pretty good sense of which foods are best for their bodies, they don’t always understand why. Educating shoppers about the basic scientific processes behind why some choices are better than others–even amongst healthy foods–can help further guide their shopping choices.
Berries are the subject of numerous scientific explorations into a myriad of public health issues including neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), osteoarthritis, obesity, and various cancers. A comprehensive body of research focuses on the bioactive compounds in berries. Bioactive compounds are chemicals found in very small amounts in certain foods. There is growing evidence that some of these chemicals not only promote good overall health, but may be able to help prevent (and someday even help treat) certain diseases.
Studies into phytonutrients are only growing in numbers, and findings are, for the most part, promising. Providing information on these and other berry bioactive compounds can be surprisingly simple and help drive sales. Here are some quick berry facts that can be incorporated into your marketing efforts…
- Berries are rich in bioactive compounds called polyphenols.
- Polyphenols have two general types: flavonoids and phenolic acids.
- A flavonoid subtype of particular interest found in certain berries is anthocyanin.
- Anthocyanins are the natural pigments that produce the red, purple and blue colors you see in certain plants.
- Anthocyanins help your body fight off toxins and other harmful molecules.
- The human body produces its own antioxidants, but adding more of them to your system helps the body become an even stronger disease-fighting powerhouse.
For even more information and great ideas, check out this guide from the California Strawberry Commission.
Well•Pict Berries
Sources for this article include: healthline.com; cancer.gov; researchgate.net; verywellhealth.com; 2017 Berry Health Benefits Symposium; californiastrawberries.com