New Zealand crown research body HortResearch has just begun an NZ-government funded programme with co-researchers to identify the health-enhancing attributes of berry fruit.
Some NZ$6.4m (£2.2m) is being poured into the Healthful Berries programme which will use human volunteers in its berry fruit cognitive study.
Previous research carried out by HortResearch with Tufts University in the US suggested that regular consumption of dark-red coloured fruit juices may be beneficial. The new study aims to improve understanding of health benefits of soft fruit consumption and whether it aids cogniton and function in humans.
New Zealand’s Massey University is conducting the study and is looking for 60 people aged over 65who will be asked to drink a glass of boysenberry or blackcurrant juice every day for 12 weeks.
"We want to create value-added berry-fruit products with the optimum phytochemical compositions for enhanced health," said programme leader Tony McGhie of HortResearch.
Demand for blackcurrants, boysenberries and blueberries is spiralling in line with interest in anti-ageing foods.
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