INTRODUCTION:
Berries
contain powerful antioxidants, potential allergens, and other bioactive
compounds. Genetic and environmental factors affect production and storage of
such compounds, where the anthocyanins (water-soluble plant pigments) have
important functions in plant physiology as well in health effects[1] Blueberry
is a member of the family Ericaceae,
which includes woody shrubs such as azaleas
and rhododendrons that grow well in acidic
oils. High bush blueberries are woody,
shallow-rooted perennial shrubs. Although some species grow taller
than 20 feet, most cultivars are 4 to 10 feet tall at maturity. In established
growing region, plants reach full production within 6 to 8 years and can remain
productive for 20 years or more. Proper pruning, mulching and pest monitoring
are essential to maintain plant vigor and productivity [2].
Strawberry
contains high levels of micronutrients and phytochemical compounds. These
exhibit functional roles in plant growth and metabolism and are also essential
for the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of the fruit.[3]
BLUEBERRIES AS ANTIOXIDANT:
Blueberries is perennial flowering plantwith indigo coloured berries
from the Cyanoccocus within the genus vaccinum .species in the section Cyanococcus are the most commonfruits
sold as "blueberries" and are native to North America [commercially
cultivated highbush blueberries were not introduced into Europe until the
1930s]. [5] Blueberries
are usually erect, prostrate shrubs that can vary in size from 10 centimeters
[3.9 in] to 4 meters [13 ft] in height. In the commercial production of
blueberries, the smaller species are known as "low-bush blueberries"
while the larger species are known as "high-bush blueberries". The
blood composition, blueberry intake [usually in the amount of 1-2 cups per day
and over the course of 1-3 months] has been shown to improve blood fat
balances, including reduction in total cholesterol, raising of HDL cholesterol,
and lowering of triglycerides. At the same time, blueberry intake has been
shown to help protect the blood components (like LDL cholesterol) from oxygen
damage that could lead to eventual clogging of the blood vessels.
The ability of blueberries to increase plasma antioxidant capacity seems
to continue as blueberry intake goes up above everyday levels. [6] Antioxidant
protection of the blood sugar regulatory system has also been demonstrated in
blueberry intake studies, as has antioxidant protection of the digestive tract
[especially with respect to the colon and its risk of cancer]. It's this whole
body antioxidant support that helps blueberries stand out as an amazing
antioxidant fruit.
2. STRAWBERRIES AS AN
ANTIOXIDANT:
The
fruit [which is not a botanical berry,
but an aggregate
accessory fruit]
is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy
texture, and sweetness Technically, the strawberry is an aggregate accessory
fruit, meaning that the fleshy part is derived not from the plant's ovaries but
from the receptacle that holds the ovaries. Each apparent "seed"
[achene] on the outside of the fruit is actually one of the ovaries of the
flower, with a seed inside it. The garden strawberry was first bred in
Brittany, France, in 1750. Strawberries are one of the
most highly concentrated antioxidant fruits. The antioxidants found in
strawberries have been shown to fight carcinogens and LDL, the bad cholesterol
which can lead to heart disease. In addition, strawberries contain a high
amount of folic acid. Folic acid is vital to for pregnant women because it
plays a vital role in preventing birth defects. However, folic acid is
important to everyone, as inadequate levels can lead to dementia, heart
disease, osteoporosis and many cancers. [7] The strawberry possesses a remarkable
nutritional composition in terms of micronutrients, such as minerals, vitamin
C, and folates, and non-nutrient elements, such as phenolic compounds, that are
essential for human health. Although strawberry phenolics are known mainly for
their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, recent studies have
demonstrated that their biological activities also spread to other pathways
involved in cellular metabolism and cellular survival. This paper has the main
objective of reviewing current information about the potential mechanisms
involved in the effects elicited by strawberry polyphenols on human health,
devoting special attention to the latest finding [8]
GOSSEBERY AS AN ANTIOXIDANT:
In
Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations, Indian gooseberry is a common constituent,
and most notably is the primary ingredient in an ancient herbal rasayana called Chyawanprash. This formula,
which contains 43 herbal ingredients as well as clarified butter, sesame oil,
sugacane juice, and honey, was first mentioned in the Charaka
Samhita as a premier rejuvenative [9].
Gooseberries are edible and can be eaten
or used as an ingredient in desserts, such as pies, fools and crumbles. Early
pickings are generally sour and more appropriate for culinary use. They are
also used to flavour beverages such as sodas, flavoured waters, or milk, and
can be made into fruit wines and teas. Gooseberries can be preserved in the
form of jams, dried fruit, or as the primary or a secondary ingredient in
pickling, or stored in sugar syrup. [10]
In
Chinese traditional therapy, this fruit is called yuganzi, which is used to treat throat inflammation [11]. Emblica
officinalis tea may
ameliorate diabetic neuropathy due to aldose reductase inhibition [non-primary source needed] .In
rats it significantly reduced blood glucose, food intake, water intake and
urine output in diabetic rats compared with the non‐ diabetic control group. [12][13]
RASPBERRY AS AN ANTIOXIDANT:
Raspberries
are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown in all temperate regions
of the world. Many of the most important modern commercial red raspberry cultivars derive from hybrids between R.
idaeus and R. strigosus.[14] Raspberries are traditionally planted in
the winter as dormant canes, although planting of tender, plug plants produced
by tissue culture has become much more common. A specialized production system
called "long cane production" involves growing canes for a year in a
northern climate such as Scotland
or Oregon or Washington,
where the chilling requirement for proper bud break is attained, or attained
earlier than the ultimate place of planting. The aggregate fruit structure
contributes to raspberry's nutritional value, as it increases the proportion
of dietary fibre, which is among the highest known in whole foods, up
to 6% fiber per total. Raspberries contain anthocyanin pigments, ellagic
acid (from ellagotannins, see for instance the polyphenol ellagitannin),
quercetin,
gallicacid, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol and salicylic
acid. Yellow raspberries and others with pale-colored fruits are lower in
anthocyanins. Both yellow and red raspberries contain carotenoids, mostly
lutein esters, but these are masked by anthocyans in the red fruits [15]. Animal research
indicates antioxidant and antiproliferative (chemopreventive) effects
may be associated with phenolics and flavonoids in rassberries. [16][17]
CONCLUSION:
Antioxidants
play an important role in overall health. They are natural compounds found in
some foods that help neutralize free radicals in our bodies. This article
reveals the antioxidant properties of strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries
and blueberries. This article also reveals that these berries prevents cancer.
These berries also prevents skin, hair, arthritis, eye-sight problems like cataract,
memory loss, helps to lose weight, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. So it
is beneficial if all these berries are consumed in limited amount.
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Strawberry Phenolics with Antioxidant and Human Cancer Cell Antiproliferative
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9 Francesca Giampieri, José M.
Alvarez-Suarez, and Maurizio Battino
J. Agric. Food Chem., 2014, 62 (18),
pp 3867–3876.
Strawberry
and Human Health: Effects beyond Antioxidant Activity
Publication
Date (Web): January
23, 2014 (Review)
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