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The importance of eating your berries

by Norm Danniels
Norm Danniels has been involved in the formulation and development of natural health supplements for over two decades.
His focus is on the unique nutritional needs of people with active lifestyles.

It’s no secret that fruit, especially berries, contain many of nature’s most potent antioxidants and phytochemicals.  Unfortunately, few people consume enough to adequately battle the environmental toxins, stress and excessive free radical exposure we face each day.  Free radicals are reactive compounds that damage surrounding cells and, when left unchecked, contribute to the erosion of good health. The ability of berries to support our body in neutralizing free radicals makes a concentrated berry supplement one of our most effective defenses.

What is ORAC?
The latest scientific standard for measuring the antioxidant capacity of a food or nutrient is in ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units.  This is where berry concentrates really shine.

Whole Body Antioxidant Protection.
Whole body antioxidant protection is one of the key features of a quality concentrated berry supplement.  While a high ORAC value means greater protection, it only tells part of the story. Our individual organs and internal systems have unique antioxidant requirements, as some are best protected by a food or nutrient with only a modest ORAC score.

The more colourful the better.
Berries are an excellent source of natural phytochemicals (plant nutrients) called Polyphenols, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, and anthocyanidins. Polyphenols give plants their vibrant colours and offer a broad range of secondary health benefits and antioxidant activity.

Red fruits (goji berry, pomegranate, acerola berry, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries) contain anthocyanins and lycopene, which supports cardiovascular and respiratory health.

Orange fruits like apricots contain beta carotene, which is beneficial to circulatory and vision health.

Blue/Purple fruits (açai berry, mangosteen, blackberries, blueberries, prunes, raisins, elderberries, bilberries) are excellent sources of anthocyanins and other polyphenols promoting healthy heart and immune function.

Concentrated berry supplements should contain additional ingredients like green tea, resveratrol, quercetin, lycopene and pine bark, which exceptional antioxidant protection. Essential oils, which possess some of the highest ORAC values, along with essential fatty acids provide specific antioxidant protection to a number of organs and internal systems, including cognitive and brain function.

The synergy of a berry concentrate containing a wide array of fruit, berries and whole food extracts provides a level of protection to each organ and key body system that cannot be duplicated by isolated forms of antioxidants.

Final thought
When designing your personal supplement program, green foods, a comprehensive multi and a molecularly distilled fish oil supplement will most likely make your list. With the mounting research and overwhelming evidence supporting the use of a berry based supplement, perhaps it’s time to consider adding a new member to the team.

References

1. World Health Organization. 1990. Diet, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. Geneva: World Health Organization
2. Department of Health. 1998. Nutritional Aspects of the Development of Cancer. London: The Stationery Office.
3. Joshipura KJ, Hu FB, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Speizer FE, Colditz G, Ascherio A, Rosner B, Spiegelman D, Willett WC. 2001. The effect of fruit and vegetable intake on plasma antioxidant levels. Annals of Internal Medicine; 134: 1106-14.
   

Written by Norm Danniels. National Product Education Consultant for Body Plus.
Norm Danniels has been involved in the formulation and development of natural health supplements for over two decades. His focus is on the unique nutritional needs of people with active lifestyles. With over 20 years of experience in the Health and Fitness industry, Norm is considered one of Canada's leading sport nutrition specialists.

PhytoBerry and VegeGreens by progressive are available at local Health Food stores in the Okanagan, Vancouver, and across Canada.

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