Studies of Anti-inflammatory Benefits for Whole Strawberries

The US National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a three-year $500,000 (€ 455,000) grant to expand the research into the health benefits of strawberries. The scientists will seek to identify the mechanism that positively affects the gut by eating whole strawberries.

“Whole strawberry contains various potential anti-inflammatory components. However, there is no detailed mechanistic information available on the overall protective effects of whole strawberry. We hope to gain new knowledge on how whole foods, such as berries, promote colon health and how the bioactive components of the berries fight against colonic inflammation,” says Hang Xiao

Researchers will use mouse models in new experiments by feeding them with freeze-dried whole strawberries in doses equivalent to 1-2 cups of fresh strawberries per day for humans.

The scientists theorize that the whole strawberry inhibits colon inflammation by reducing an imbalance in the composition and function of gut microflora, which in turn improves colon health.

Source: www.umass.edu