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Nutrients
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Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence
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Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2022) | Viewed by 26146

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Cristian Del Bo'

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Guest Editor
Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Human Nutrition, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: berries; polyphenols; bioavailability and metabolism; oxidative stress; inflammation; vascular function; mechanistic studies; human intervention studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Daniela Martini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: nutrition; diets; sustainability; food labeling; food quality; cereals; antioxidants; phenolic; antioxidant activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mirko Marino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Human Nutrition, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Interests: polyphenols absorption and metabolism; inflammation; vascular function; intestinal permeability; in vitro studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Berry fruits (e.g., blueberry, cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, black currant) have a wide range of nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds like polyphenols. Emerging scientific evidence supports their health-promoting potential against oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and numerous metabolic dysregulations. However, most of the evidence is derived from in vitro and animal models, while observations from human studies deserve further investigations. The present Special Issue is now open for submission of original research manuscripts focused on dietary intervention studies exploring the role of berries and berry polyphenols in the protection and promotion of human health. In addition, studies on cell culture and animal models devoted to evaluating the molecular mechanisms underpinning the modulation of metabolic and functional activities are encouraged. Finally, systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses investigating the impact of berries in the modulation of risk factors and health outcome are also welcomed.

Dr. Cristian Del Bo'
Dr. Daniela Martini
Dr. Mirko Marino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Berries
  • Berry polyphenols
  • In vitro studies
  • Animal models
  • Human intervention studies
  • Systematic review/meta-analysis

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 187 KiB  
Editorial
Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence
by Daniela Martini, Mirko Marino and Cristian Del Bo’
Nutrients 2023, 15(11), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112527 - 29 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1608
Abstract
Berry fruits (e [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence)

Research

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18 pages, 3351 KiB  
Article
Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) Supplementation Attenuates the Development of Metabolic Inflammation in a High-Fat Diet Mouse Model of Obesity
by Toini Pemmari, Mari Hämäläinen, Riitta Ryyti, Rainer Peltola and Eeva Moilanen
Nutrients 2022, 14(18), 3846; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14183846 - 17 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2654
Abstract
Metabolic diseases linked to obesity are an increasing problem globally. They are associated with systemic inflammation, which can be triggered by nutrients such as saturated fatty acids. Cloudberry is rich in ellagitannin and its derivatives, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. In [...] Read more.
Metabolic diseases linked to obesity are an increasing problem globally. They are associated with systemic inflammation, which can be triggered by nutrients such as saturated fatty acids. Cloudberry is rich in ellagitannin and its derivatives, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, a high-fat-diet-induced mouse model of obesity was used to study the effects of air-dried cloudberry powder on weight gain, systemic inflammation, lipid and glucose metabolism, and changes in gene expression in hepatic and adipose tissues. Cloudberry supplementation had no effect on weight gain, but it prevented the rise in the systemic inflammation marker serum amyloid A (SAA) and the hepatic inflammation/injury marker alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as the increase in the expression of many inflammation-related genes in the liver and adipose tissue, such as Mcp1, Cxcl14, Tnfa, and S100a8. In addition, cloudberry supplementation impeded the development of hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. The results indicate that cloudberry supplementation helps to protect against the development of metabolic inflammation and provides partial protection against disturbed lipid and glucose metabolism. These results encourage further studies on the effects of cloudberry and cloudberry-derived ellagitannins and support the use of cloudberries as a part of a healthy diet to prevent obesity-associated metabolic morbidity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence)
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18 pages, 5567 KiB  
Article
Blackcurrant Improves Diabetic Cardiovascular Dysfunction by Reducing Inflammatory Cytokines in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice
by Hye-Yoom Kim, Jung-Joo Yoon, Hyeon-Kyoung Lee, Ai-Lin Tai, Yun-Jung Lee, Dae-Sung Kim, Dae-Gill Kang and Ho-Sub Lee
Nutrients 2021, 13(11), 4177; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13114177 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3787
Abstract
Diabetic cardiovascular dysfunction is a representative complication of diabetes. Inflammation associated with the onset and exacerbation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an essential factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiovascular complications. Diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction is characterized by myocardial fibrosis, which includes [...] Read more.
Diabetic cardiovascular dysfunction is a representative complication of diabetes. Inflammation associated with the onset and exacerbation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an essential factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiovascular complications. Diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction is characterized by myocardial fibrosis, which includes structural heart changes, myocardial cell death, and extracellular matrix protein accumulation. The mice groups in this study were divided as follows: Cont, control (db/m mice); T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus mice (db/db mice); Vil.G, db/db + vildagliptin 50 mg/kg/day, positive control, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor; Bla.C, db/db + blackcurrant 200 mg/kg/day. In this study, Bla.C treatment significantly improved the homeostatic model evaluation of glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices and diabetic blood markers such as HbA1c in T2DM mice. In addition, Bla.C improved cardiac function markers and cardiac thickening through echocardiography. Bla.C reduced the expression of fibrosis biomarkers, elastin and type IV collagen, in the left ventricle of a diabetic cardiopathy model. Bla.C also inhibited TD2M-induced elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in cardiac tissue (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β). Thus, Bla.C significantly improved cardiac inflammation and cardiovascular fibrosis and dysfunction by blocking inflammatory cytokine activation signals. This showed that Bla.C treatment could ameliorate diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications in T2DM mice. These results provide evidence that Bla.C extract has a significant effect on the prevention of cardiovascular fibrosis, inflammation, and consequent diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications, directly or indirectly, by improving blood glucose profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence)
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Review

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22 pages, 1783 KiB  
Review
Berry Dietary Interventions in Metabolic Syndrome: New Insights
by Samuele Venturi, Mirko Marino, Iolanda Cioffi, Daniela Martini, Cristian Del Bo’, Simone Perna, Patrizia Riso, Dorothy Klimis-Zacas and Marisa Porrini
Nutrients 2023, 15(8), 1906; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15081906 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3742
Abstract
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a group of dysmetabolic conditions, including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and/or insulin resistance, and hypertension. Generally, MetS is accompanied by an exacerbation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction. Increasing evidence suggests that berries and berry [...] Read more.
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a group of dysmetabolic conditions, including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and/or insulin resistance, and hypertension. Generally, MetS is accompanied by an exacerbation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction. Increasing evidence suggests that berries and berry bioactives could play a potential role in the prevention and mitigation of the risk factors associated with MetS. The present systematic review summarizes the more recently available evidence deriving from human intervention studies investigating the effect of berries in subjects with at least three out of five MetS parameters. The PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were systematically searched from January 2010 until December 2022. A total of 17 human intervention trials met the inclusion criteria. Most of them were focused on blueberry (n = 6), cranberry (n = 3), and chokeberry (n = 3), while very few or none were available for the other berries. If considering MetS features, the main positive effects were related to lipid profile (low and high-density lipoproteins, cholesterol, and triglycerides) following blueberries and chokeberries, while conflicting results were documented for anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels. Other markers analyzed within the studies included vascular function, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Here, the main positive effects were related to inflammation with a reduction in interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha following the intake of different berries. In conclusion, although limited, the evidence seems to support a potential role for berries in the modulation of lipid profile and inflammation in subjects with MetS. Furthermore, high-quality intervention trials are mandatory to demonstrate the role of berries in reducing risk factors for MetS and related conditions. In the future, such a demonstration could bring the adoption of berries as a potential dietary strategy to prevent/counteract MetS and related risk factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence)
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13 pages, 493 KiB  
Review
Systematic Review on the Potential Effect of Berry Intake in the Cognitive Functions of Healthy People
by Ramona De Amicis, Sara Paola Mambrini, Marta Pellizzari, Andrea Foppiani, Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati and Alessandro Leone
Nutrients 2022, 14(14), 2977; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142977 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3504
Abstract
The increase in life expectancy poses health challenges, such as increasing the impairment of cognitive functions. Berries show a neuroprotective effect thanks to flavonoids, able to reduce neuroinflammatory and to increase neuronal connections. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the [...] Read more.
The increase in life expectancy poses health challenges, such as increasing the impairment of cognitive functions. Berries show a neuroprotective effect thanks to flavonoids, able to reduce neuroinflammatory and to increase neuronal connections. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the impact of berries supplementation on cognitive function in healthy adults and the elderly. Twelve studies were included for a total of 399 participants, aged 18–81 years (mean age: 41.8 ± 4.7 years). Six studies involved young adults (23.9 ± 3.7 years), and four studies involved the elderly (60.6 ± 6.4 years). Most studies investigated effects of a single berry product, but one used a mixture of 4 berries. Non-significant differences were detected across cognition domains and methodologies, but significant and positive effects were found for all cognitive domains (attention and concentration, executive functioning, memory, motor skills and construction, and processing speed), and in most cases they were present in more than one study and detected using different methodologies. Although some limitations should be taken into account to explain these results, the positive findings across studies and methodologies elicit further studies on this topic, to endorse the consumption of berries in healthy populations to prevent cognitive decline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence)
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25 pages, 682 KiB  
Review
The Role of Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure Regulation and Hypertension: An Overview of the Clinical Evidence
by Stefano Vendrame, Tolu Esther Adekeye and Dorothy Klimis-Zacas
Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2701; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132701 - 29 Jun 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5002
Abstract
The existence of a relationship between the consumption of dietary berries and blood pressure reduction in humans has been repeatedly hypothesized and documented by an increasing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence that has accumulated in recent years. However, results are mixed and [...] Read more.
The existence of a relationship between the consumption of dietary berries and blood pressure reduction in humans has been repeatedly hypothesized and documented by an increasing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence that has accumulated in recent years. However, results are mixed and complicated by a number of potentially confounding factors. The objective of this article is to review and summarize the available clinical evidence examining the effects of berry consumption on blood pressure regulation as well as the prevention or treatment of hypertension in humans, providing an overview of the potential contribution of distinctive berry polyphenols (anthocyanins, condensed tannins and ellagic acid), and results of dietary interventions with blueberries, bilberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, chokeberries, cherries, blackcurrants and açai berries. We conclude that, while there is insufficient evidence supporting the existence of a direct blood pressure lowering effect, there is stronger evidence for specific types of berries acting indirectly to normalize blood pressure in subjects that are already hypertensive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence)
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44 pages, 2327 KiB  
Review
Chokeberry (A. melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott)—A Natural Product for Metabolic Disorders?
by Ewa Olechno, Anna Puścion-Jakubik and Małgorzata Elżbieta Zujko
Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2688; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132688 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4353
Abstract
Abnormal metabolism of substances in the body can result in metabolic disorders which include obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, or cancer. Foods rich in antioxidants can help to prevent and treat various types of disorders. Chokeberry fruits are [...] Read more.
Abnormal metabolism of substances in the body can result in metabolic disorders which include obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, or cancer. Foods rich in antioxidants can help to prevent and treat various types of disorders. Chokeberry fruits are rich in polyphenols, especially cyanidins, and therefore, can show a beneficial health effect. The aim of this study was to summarize and systematize reports about the effects of chokeberry on various metabolic parameters. Studies from 2000 to 2021, published in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, were reviewed. The review of studies shows that chokeberry may have a positive effect in dyslipidemia and hypertension and may increase the body’s antioxidant defense mechanisms. The anti-inflammatory effect, in turn, may translate into a reduction in the risk of metabolic disorders over a longer period of use. Changes in glucose levels were reported by studies in which the intervention lasted more than 10 weeks in patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders. The effects of protecting the liver, inhibiting platelet aggregation, lowering uric acid levels, and having a protective effect on the kidneys require additional confirmation in human clinical trials. Consumption of chokeberry fruit did not impact on anthropometric measurements; however, it seems that chokeberry fruit can be recommended in many metabolic disorders due to the richness of bioactive ingredients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Berries and Human Health: Mechanisms and Evidence)
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