Potential health benefits of berry bioactives, their use as nutraceuticals, and regulatory issues

Abstract

As living standards have gradually improved, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of a healthy diet. This has led many people to shift their eating habits from simply seeking fullness to prioritizing nutritious diets. Recently, dietary guidelines in many countries have recommended increasing daily fruit and vegetable intake, with a particular emphasis on nutrient-rich berries. Berries are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals, which have been shown to enhance health and prevent various chronic diseases in both in vivo and in vitro studies. The primary phytochemicals in berries include phenolic compounds such as flavonoids (including anthocyanins, flavanols, and flavonols), tannins, and phenolic acids. In this chapter, we presented the potential health benefits of these berry phenolics, including their antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antiinflammatory properties. Moreover, we discussed the use of berry bioactives as nutraceuticals and the regulatory issues related to their use.