Wild Blackberries Extracts May Boost Brain Health

What do wild blackberries have that commercial blackberries don’t? According to a new study reported in the European Journal of Nutrition, wild blackberries demonstrate neuron-protective benefits that may decrease the process of brain degeneration.¹ Commercial blackberries, on the other hand, were found to be ineffective in boosting neuronal health. So the next time you, as a supplement business owner, want to introduce a new cognitive health supplement or improve an existing one formula, consider adding wild, not commercial, blackberries in your formulation. Here’s why.

Researchers in Portugal studied two species of wild blackberries native to Spain and Portugal, namely, Rubus brigantinus and Rubus vagabundus. The effects of the digested food matrix obtained from wild blackberries were tested on in vitro cultured neurons. Since these tests were conducted mimicking real live conditions and the digested food matrix were within the concentration range found in human plasma, scientists believe the neuro-protective results exhibited in the study may be replicated in human studies. If this is true, wild blackberries may indeed, have the potential to delay the onset of age-related diseases associated with neuro-degeneration.

The two wild blackberries were compared to a commercial variety and while all three had quantitative differences in polyphenol composition that could play a role in neuro-protective results, the analysis revealed that only the digested extracts from the two wild blackberries demonstrated neuro-protective effects. This was the first time metabolites from in vitro digested food matrix were described as inducing cellular adaptative responses that went beyond mere antioxidant activity. Some of the reasons for this are described below:

What Is So Different about Wild Blackberries?
Most berries (including the commercial variety) contain considerable amounts of phytochemicals (including polyphonols) and are reported to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, coronary heart disease and other degenerative diseases. These health benefits are attributed to the antioxidant capacity of polyphenols found in berries. But metabolites in wild blackberries were not only observed to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), they were also seen to activate enzymes called caspases. These particular enzymes are known to play a vital role in cell death (apopotosis)and therefore neuro-degeneration, but with wild blackberries, an increase in caspases activity did not result in reduced cell viability. Since caspase activation was not accompanied by an increase in cell death and loss of functionality, this kind of effect suggests a preconditioning or hermetic effect which, scientists believe is the mechanism that leads to the neuro-protective effects of wild blackberries involving the activation of capsase-3 enzymes.

These neuro-protective effects were not seen in commercial blackberries since their activity did not go beyond antioxidant activity.

Prevalence of Neurological Disorders
According to the National Institutes of Health, there are more than 600 neurological diseases that currently exist.² About 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and according to Alliance for Aging Research this number has more than doubled since 1980. Every year, 360,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s are diagnosed; every hour 40 new cases are detected. By 2050, as many as 16 million people could be affected by Alzheimer’s. As the population in the United States ages in the next 50 years, the number could be four times more with one in every 45 people affected with Alzheimer’s.³

About 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease making it the second most common neurological disease, next to Alzheimer’s. Every 9 minutes, a new case of Parkinson’s is diagnosed. Every year 60,000 new cases develop. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people with Parkinson’s disease will grow to between 1.3 million and 1.7 million by 2040.⁴

Wild Blackberries’ Potential
Possessing a high nutritive profile and health benefits for all, wild blackberries may become the next new superfruit to hit the market and captivate consumer attention. Like other superfruits, wild blackberries can be freeze dried to maximize preservation of their nutritional content. Wild blackberry supplements can be manufactured as powders, natural food concentrates, capsules and tablets. This new study opens up a wide range of marketing opportunities for nutraceutical companies to produce neuro-protective supplements for a diverse consumer market. Market drivers include baby boomers (aged 48 to 66) which now constitute 26 percent of the United States population.⁵

Use an Experience Supplement Manufacturer
The market outlook for supplements that protect neuronal health is significant given the rise in the aging population that is forecasted over the next two decades. Supplement business owners may want to cash in on the growing consumer demand with the help of an experienced nutraceutical manufacturer. A GMP-certified supplement manufacturer can help you add a customized, high-quality supplement to your product line in very little time. Look for a contract manufacturer that can make the job easier and cost-effective for you with a range of in-house manufacturing solutions such as label design, packaging, storage and order fulfillment.