Even though the CDC consistently reports that the percentage of U.S. adults meeting fruit and vegetable intake recommendations is low,¹ many of us do love our berries. (And thankfully so!) That fondness might look like anything from whirling frozen berries into a smoothie to downing a functional beverage that contains a boost of berry phytonutrients. Or it could mean a daily dose of elderberry immune support gummies. No matter the personal preference where consumption is concerned, the overall popularity of berry-based products continues to grow—and with that comes a myriad of new market opportunities. 

Scientists continue to research the specific ways that berries, and berry ingredients, can provide desirable health benefits. In turn, this growing body of knowledge launches certain berry ingredients into new categories, providing innovation opportunities actively sought by savvy formulators. The resulting discoveries are an industry win-win for manufacturers and consumers alike. 

In other words, we all understand berries have tremendous antioxidant and healthy aging properties. And we know some berry ingredients have clinically substantiated health benefits in particular areas, such as elderberry for immune support or aronia berry for cardiovascular support. However, there are certain berries that now have sufficient scientific substantiation to play a prominent role in new categories.  

Eye Relief for Gamers

In the past, vision support products were primarily geared toward those with aging eyes. Not anymore. The booming esports industry (organized video gaming events with high-stakes regional, national, and international competitions) highlighted an additional important need within the vision category—combatting the eye strain and symptoms that come with extended screen usage.

Then COVID-19 resulted in remote daily work and school, and suddenly it wasn’t just gamers who were sitting in front of computer screens for hours on end. Kids, teens, and adults alike all seemed to be plagued by digital eye fatigue resulting from increased screen time.

Enter black currant. While there are existing ingredients with a solid reputation for overall vision support like lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin A, and bilberry, studies have shown that black currant (Ribes nigrum) can play a specific role in addressing the very relevant issue of digital eye fatigue plaguing society today. 

In one recent randomized, placebo-controlled human clinical trial (Hawkins, et al.; pending publication),² 61 subjects who spent 6+ hours per day on screens consumed a standardized black currant extract delivering 50 mg of anthocyanins daily. After the 12-week intervention, there was a 29.9% reduction in blurry vision in the black currant treatment group. Improvements in other markers like dry eye and eye strain were also reported in the black currant group. These findings are extremely significant and position black currant extract as a worthy ingredient in vision formulas targeted to both the esports/gaming communities as well as the general public. 

Elderberry as a Digestive Aid

Elderberry already reigns supreme as a trusted immune support ingredient across a multitude of products. But a new and unconventional use where European black elderberry can shine is in the category of gut health. Specifically, a new study has identified prebiotic activity from polyphenol-rich standardized European elderberry extract (Reider, et al., 2022).³ Previously thought to be limited to certain fiber ingredients like inulin that provide a substrate for healthy bacteria in the gut, the prebiotic community is now recognizing the prebiotic potential of other types of compounds like polyphenols in berries. 

In the recently-published 9-week human clinical study, human subjects took capsules containing a standardized European black elderberry extract. The elderberry extract induced profound changes in microbial diversity measures. Notably, there were also elevated and lasting levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, a microbe of particular importance due to its association with healthy gut barrier function and healthy metabolism. Given the key role Akkermansia muciniphila plays in healthy digestion, it should be of significant importance to formulators of gut health products.

In a time when formulators are looking to differentiate their immune support products and add multi-functionality, elderberry serves as a unique and useful opportunity to transcend the popular gut health category and fit nicely into synbiotic formulations. 

Berries and Skin Care via Cosmeceuticals

At the recent biennial Berry Health Benefits Symposium in Tampa, FL, an entire session was dedicated to recent science around berries and skin. Of course, “beauty from within” is a mainstay category that can make the most of the antioxidant and healthy aging qualities of berry ingredients for cellular health. However, new science has demonstrated that berries can also have positive impacts on the skin. This positions berries for a broader variety of cosmeceutical applications. 

For example, an increase in ozone and environmental pollution can lead to pathologies and skin conditions. This is, in part, related to an increase of inflammation as a result of the irritant. One particular study (Pambianchi, et al., 2020),⁴ observed that blueberry extracts were able to enhance keratinocyte wound closure and normalize the body’s inflammation responses that were altered by ozone. Additionally, pretreatment with blueberry extract was able to prevent ozone-induced oxygen radicals and the activation of inflammation pathways. This makes for potentially healthier skin and bodies and makes formulating cosmeceutical products with berries a worthwhile opportunity. 

Pet Care 

With so much focus on human health, it is easy to forget about innovation within the pet industry. Berries are no stranger here. Premium products have been using more universally recognized blueberry, cranberry, and tart cherry for years to improve joint health, healthy aging, and vitality in our beloved furry friends. However, other polyphenol-rich, antioxidant berry ingredients like elderberry could also be considered to support additional areas of health. And berry blends that offer a diverse profile of healthy plant-based phytonutrients can also benefit our pets. 

Still, we need to ensure that quality ingredients are making their way into pet foods, treats, and supplements. Ingredients produced from low-grade depleted waste-streams of other more premium ingredients are often the ones used in pet foods. We can do better. There are many high-quality, yet affordable, berry ingredients available. 

In Conclusion

Remember, getting berries into our diets is not limited to fresh produce or jellies and fillings—especially when many of the most phytonutrient-rich berries with targeted benefits are not readily accessible in those forms. Nutraceutical berry ingredients like fruit/juice powders and extracts aren’t just for supplements; they formulate easily into a variety of food and beverage applications as well. Be creative and add functionality to food and beverage options to give consumers the added value they seek as they look to consolidate purchases and get more for their money. 

In a time where true innovation in the functional products space is waning a bit, the fresh marketing angles and health benefit categories of berry ingredients—and certain berries in particular—bring new opportunities. Whether formulating an esports vision shot with a substantiated black currant extract, formulating with European black elderberry extract within a new lens of gut health, or exploring a berry-infused body lotion, there are a multitude of unique ways to incorporate berry functionality into innovative products.

About the Author: Melanie Bush is vice president of science and research at Artemis International. With more than 15 years of experience at the company, her responsibilities span several departments including quality assurance, R&D, and technical sales support. She enjoys spearheading new research in the field of dark berry extracts and communicating the ever-evolving science of berry phytonutrients. 

References

1. CDC information: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7101a1.htm
2. Hawkins, J. et al. CurrantCraft® Blackcurrant Extract Promotes Visual Health by Reducing Double Vision and Blurred Vision in Women With Full Time Exposure to Digital Screens: A Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial. Pending publication.
3. Reider, S., et al. (2022). Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Prebiotic Intervention with Polyphenols Extracted from European Black Elderberry-Sustained Expansion of Akkermansia spp. Journal of personalized medicine, 12(9), 1479.
4. Pambianchi, E. (2020). Blueberry Extracts as a Novel Approach to Prevent Ozone-Induced Cutaneous Inflammasome Activation. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2020, 9571490.