Superfruit Science

Many product designers are turning to “superfruits” to deliver health benefits, as well as flavor and color. Superfruits have higher levels of nutrients than average and often contain novel compounds not found in any other fruit. “For example, the goji berry contains unique and very healthy compounds called Lyceum barbarum polysaccharides, which are found in no other food,” says Lindsey Duncan, CEO, Genesis Today, Inc., Austin, TX.

Colorful promises

The superfood concept became popular around 2004, when Steven Pratt published his book, “SuperFoods Rx,” notes Deborah Payne, spokesperson for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, San Francisco. The book lists blueberries as a superfood due to their high antioxidant levels and potential to reduce the effects of age-related loss in brain function.

“Superfruits contain a variety of phytonutrients. However, many contain high amounts of flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, which give blueberries their deep color and also provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity,” says Payne.

Antioxidants are most effective when combined with other antioxidants, a scientific principle dubbed “the antioxidant cascade effect,” notes Ted Farnsworth, CEO, Purple Beverage Co., Fort Lauderdale, FL.

“While conventional conceptions of superfoods tend to reflect overall nutrient density, Dole’s approach to superfoods—or superfruits—is unique in that it is on nutrient groups supporting particular health categories, such as bones, eyes, heart and others,” says Nicholas Gillitt, nutrition research and labeling manager, Dole Nutrition Institute, Westlake Village, CA. “For each category, a qualifying fruit must contain a minimum level of certain nutrients that have been grouped together because they have the same health benefit. For example, to be a superfood for the heart, a fruit must contain certain levels of any three of the following heart-healthy nutrients: potassium, fiber, folate, vitamin B₆, magnesium, vitamin C and antioxidant phytochemicals.”

Superfruit claims are frequently challenged. “Often, the superfruit claim is given to fruits that have not had clinical research performed on them, so the claims that are made for these fruits may not be based on sufficient scientific evidence,” says Amy Howell, associate research scientist, Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ. “It is important to look for fruits that have positive clinical study results for things they are claiming ... such as cranberry and prevention of urinary tract infections, which is one of the best examples of a superfruit with good clinical trial evidence.”

From everyday to exotic

Formulators should remember many superfruits are common, everyday fruits. “Bananas are often overlooked when superfruit lists are developed. However, by all definitions, the banana is a superfruit, as it has been shown to assist in the alleviation of anemia, constipation, depression, heartburn, morning sickness and stress,” says Tony Cantu, senior R&D technologist with iTi tropicals, Inc., Lawrenceville, NJ. “The potassium in bananas keeps blood pressure in check, and thus helps prevent strokes. Potassium also assists with memory and brain power.” FDA’s authorized health claim for high-potassium foods, “diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke,” can apply to products that contain bananas at a sufficient level to deliver 10% of the Daily Value for potassium while meeting other stipulations of the claim regarding levels of fat, sodium and cholesterol.

Many rare, exotic superfruits, such as gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis), are making their way to the States. “Grown in Vietnam, gac fruit is mainly used for food and medicine in many Southeast Asian countries,” says Cantu. “The seed pulp of this bright-red superfruit contains high concentrations of beta carotene, lycopene and unsaturated fatty acids.”

The gac fruit contains more than 70 times the amount of lycopene found in tomatoes. Its omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids assist with absorption of beta carotene, which is present at about 10 times the level found in carrots. Lycopene consumption is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer, while omega-3s are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascualr disease, as well as cognitive development.

A spectrum of options

The fruits really making headlines are açaí, blueberries, cherries, cranberries and pomegranates. Exotics such as goji, guarana, mangosteen and noni are predicted to join this list soon.