Berry Fruit Juices Boost Heart Health

STRASBOURG, FranceDrinking berry fruit juices rich in polyphenols may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in the journal Food and Function.

Different fruits contain different polyphenols that are often bitter; therefore, researchers at the University of Strasbourg assessed the ability of selected pure fruit juices, purees and blends to cause endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated arteries. Vascular reactivity was assessed using pig arteries, and fruit juices, purees and blends were characterized for their content in vitamin C, total phenolic, sugar and antioxidant activity.

As reported by Chemistry World, they found the most-effective blend with the least bitter flavor consisted of a base of grape juice (63 percent), blended with apple, blueberry, strawberry, lingonberry, acerola and aronia. The blend did not have the highest overall polyphenol level, but the fruit combination caused a greater increase in vasodilation than other blends.

Most of the juices you can buy in a supermarket have a very low level of biological activity. Buying fruit juices that provide something extra is an important message for consumers," they said.