Phytochemical potential of berries: An overview

Abstract

Introduction: Phytochemicals, or secondary metabolites, present in small fruits are responsible for improving the health of consumers when included in the daily diet. All edible forms of berries are considered safe functional foods because they have nutritional properties and therapeutic potential. Objective: Therefore, this narrative review aims to analyze the state of the art on the phytochemical potential of the six main small fruits (blackberry, physalis, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry and grape), to gather information on the application of strategies to obtain berries with higher concentrations of biomolecules and to present the benefits of phytochemicals to the consuming public. Methodology: In the first stage of this narrative review, the cultivation scenario of these six main berries is contextualized. Subsequently, a temporal metasynthesis on berry phytochemicals is performed. In the last part of this review, we detail the biomolecule profile of blackberry, physalis, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry and grape and focus on their action against diseases. Results: The consumption of these six berries triggers anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-obesity, anti-microbial, anti-ulcer and radioprotective, neuroprotective and glucoregulatory actions. Despite scientific and clinical evidence on the positive effects of small fruit consumption on human health, their consumption remains low. Conclusions: The creation of public policies will contribute to improve the scenario of berry intake because it will involve the entire small fruit production chain: scientists, producers, food and pharmaceutical industries, and consumers.