Wild Berries as Potential Sources of Heart-Healthy Compounds

Jenn Hoskins
27th June, 2024

Wild Berries as Potential Sources of Heart-Healthy Compounds

Among the Canadian wild berries studied, the snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus, pictured) demonstrated the strongest potential for lowering blood pressure by most effectively inhibiting a key blood-pressure-regulating enzyme.

Photo adapted from: Daniel Cahen / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • The study by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada analyzed lipophilic bioactive compounds in fourteen underutilized Canadian wild berries
  • Wild grapes had the highest total fat content and the highest proportion of heart-healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)
  • Snowberries showed the highest lipid peroxidation and the lowest ACE1 activity, indicating potential for lowering blood pressure
The consumption of berries has gained popularity due to their health benefits, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties[2]. A study conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada[1] explores the lipophilic bioactive compounds in fourteen underutilized Canadian wild berries. These compounds include fatty acids, phytosterols, and terpenes, which were analyzed for their lipid peroxidation and antihypertensive activities. The berries investigated in this study include Saskatoon berries, gooseberries, wild grapes, blackcurrants, redcurrants, haskap berries, wild raspberries, wild blueberries, chokeberries, buckthorn, highbush cranberries, chokecherries, nannyberries, and snowberries. Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), the researchers identified and quantified the lipophilic bioactive compounds in these berries. Lipid peroxidation and antihypertensive activity were assessed through in vitro methods, specifically measuring the berries' angiotensin converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) inhibitory activity. One of the key findings was that wild grapes exhibited the highest total fat content at 7659 ± 312 μg per g dry weight (DW), followed by haskap berries at 4650 ± 184 μg per g DW. Notably, wild grapes also had the highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) at 74%. PUFAs are essential fats that the body cannot produce and must be obtained through diet. They are known for their beneficial effects on heart health. The study identified several predominant phytosterols and terpenes, including β-sitosterol, isofucosterol, phytol, and α-amyrin. Phytosterols are plant-derived compounds structurally similar to cholesterol and can help reduce cholesterol levels in humans. Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds produced by plants, which have various bioactivities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Saskatoon berries and gooseberries showed a distinct profile of these compounds compared to the other wild berries. Snowberries demonstrated the highest lipid peroxidation and the lowest ACE1 activity. Lipid peroxidation refers to the oxidative degradation of lipids, which can lead to cell damage. The low ACE1 activity in snowberries suggests potential antihypertensive properties, as ACE1 is an enzyme involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Inhibiting ACE1 can help lower blood pressure, making snowberries a candidate for further research into natural antihypertensive agents. This study expands on previous research by providing a detailed analysis of the lipophilic bioactive compounds in Canadian wild berries. Earlier studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of berries on cardiovascular health, including improvements in LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and glucose metabolism[3]. The current research adds to this body of knowledge by identifying specific lipophilic compounds and their bioactivities, which could have implications for the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods. For example, the presence of α-amyrin in these berries is consistent with findings in bilberries, which also contain various triterpenoid compounds with potential health benefits[4]. Additionally, the high antioxidant capacity observed in blackcurrants and blueberries in previous studies[2] aligns with the current findings on the bioactive compounds in Canadian wild berries, suggesting that these berries can be excellent sources of natural antioxidants. In conclusion, the study by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides valuable insights into the lipophilic bioactive compounds in underutilized Canadian wild berries and their potential health benefits. These findings offer a foundation for further exploration and potential applications in nutraceuticals and functional foods, contributing to the growing body of evidence supporting the health-promoting properties of berries.

FruitsNutritionHealth

References

Main Study

1) Underutilized Canadian wild berries as potential sources of lipophilic bioactive compounds with antihypertensive properties.

Published 26th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1039/d4fo00665h

Related Studies

2) Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Small Berries.

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9050623

3) Berries: emerging impact on cardiovascular health.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00273.x

4) Triterpenoid content of berries and leaves of bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus from Finland and Poland.

https://doi.org/10.1021/jf3046895


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