Latest Berry Health Benefits Revealed

Leading Scientists Add to the Growing Body of Research Linking Berry Consumption to Disease Prevention

WATSONVILLE, Calif. and CORVALLIS, Ore., June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than twenty acclaimed researchers presented the results of their latest studies on the positive effects of berries on human health at the 2009 Berry Health Benefits Symposium. Evidence continues to mount on the link between consumption of colorful berries -- such as blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries -- and living a longer, healthier life.

The latest research from the world's leading scientists demonstrate the impact that berries have on health-related issues such as brain aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolism. Data suggests that berry properties like antioxidants, anthocyanins, elagitannins and polyphenols play a vital role in fighting disease.

"We continue to be encouraged by new research that confirms that the dietary intake of berry fruits has a positive and profound impact on overall health, performance and disease," said Dr. Jim Joseph, Director of the Neuroscience Laboratory, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. "This is an exciting time for both researchers and consumers as we continue to discover new ways to promote optimal health."

Research Overview

Following is a list of the studies that are now available. To review the abstracts, please visit: www.berryhealth.org

"Exploring the Biological Activity of Berry Ellagitannin Metabolites"

Francisco A. Tomas Barberan, Ph.D., University of Murcia, Spain

"Cardiovascular Actions of Procyanidin-rich Foods and Beverages"

Roger Corder, Ph.D., William Harvey Research Institute of London

"Healthy Eating: Bioavailability of Dietary Flavonoids and Phenolics"

Alan Crozier Ph.D., University of Glasgow, Scotland

"Berry Consumption in Humans: Bioavailability of Polyphenols and Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Factors"

Iris Erlund, Ph.D., National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland

"Anticancer Activity of Cranberry Extracts"

Peter Ferguson, Ph.D., University of Western Ontario and London Regional Cancer Program

"Health Promoting Foods: The Strawberry"

Britt Burton Freeman, Ph.D., National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST), Illinois Institute of Technology, IIT, UC Davis

"Behavioral Effects of Berries in Aging and Aging Radiation Models"

Barbara Shukitt-Hale, Ph.D., USDA-ARS, Tufts University

"Effect of Jam Processing and Storage on Polyphenolics and Antioxidant Capacity of Blueberries"

Luke Howard, Ph.D., University of Arkansas

"Bacterial Anti-adhesion Activity of Cranberry Proanthocyanidins"

Amy Howell, Ph.D., Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research, Rutgers University

"'Brainberries' and Aging: Down with the 'Bad Signals' up with the 'Good'"

Jim Joseph, Ph.D., USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University

"Recent Research on Blueberries and Vision"

Dr. Wilhemina Kalt, Ph.D., Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada

"Interventions in Cognitive Aging"

Robert Krikorian, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

"Alaska Wild Blueberries and Neuroinflammatory Signaling

Thomas B. Kuhn, Ph.D., University of Fairbanks, Alaska

"Berry Resources and Human Health Under the Cloud of Climate Change"

Mary Ann Lila, Ph.D., North Carolina Research Campus at Kanapolis

"Xenobiotic Metabolism and Berry Flavonoid Transport Across the Blood Brain Barrier"

Paul Millbury, Ph.D. and Wilheimina Kalt, Ph.D., Tufts University

"Epidemiological Evidence of Antioxidant Nutrients and Brain Health"

Martha Clare Morris, Ph.D., Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center

"Topical Black Raspberry Extract and Skin Cancer"

Tatiana Oberyszyn, Ph.D., Ohio State University

"Anthocyanins and Other Factors in Berries that Affect Development of Obesity"

Ron Prior, Ph.D., USDA-ARS, Arkansas Children's Nutrition

"Raspberries and Human Health: Time for Recognition"

Venket Rao, Ph.D., and Dawn Snyder, Department of Nutritional Services, University of Toronto

"Berry Tannins and Gut Health"

Jess Reed, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin

"Human Clinical Trials with Colon Cancer and Black Raspberries"

Gary Stoner, Ph.D., Ohio State University

"Cyanidin-3-Rutinoside, a Natural Polyphenol Antioxidant, Selectively Kills Leukemic Cells by Induction of Oxidative Stress"

Xiao-Ming Yin, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Complete studies will be published in the Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry Winter 2009.

About the National Berry Crops Initiative

The NBCI is a partnership of industry, academia and government formed to foster the U.S. berry industries.

About the California Strawberry Commission

The California Strawberry Commission is a state government agency that represents an industry of more than 500 growers and 60 shippers and processors of California strawberries. With a focus on food safety education, Commission strategies also include production and nutrition research, trade relations, public policy and marketing communications.

For more information, contact the California Strawberry Commission at 831-724-1301.

For more details on the event, please visit www.berryhealth.org