You’ve probably heard of fibre but do you really know what superfruit or what prebiotic activity is? If you’re building a food and drink business and you want the scoop on what fruit is good for what so you can put all that goodness on your nutritional panel information, then read this blog with all the latest from around the globe on superfruit fibres.
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Females in Food has partnered with food and beverage ingredients company Directus to bring you this blog with the latest information on superfruit fibres used in the food industry and those fruits that are beneficial to health.
What are fibres?
Fibres are the indigestible parts of plant-based foods. It is found in fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. Fibres can be either soluble fibre, insoluble fibre or resistant starch. Fruit fibres can be widely used in various food applications. Super fruit is a term given to fruits that are nutrient rich and has components that are beneficial for health and well being of a person.
There are many fruits that are superfruits. Below are examples of some that are used in the food industry and are beneficial to health.
Red raspberries
Traditionally, red raspberry scrub was made into teas and used for throat gargles, morning sickness remedies and digestive cures. Red raspberries are rich in ellagitannin, which has been shown to destroy certain cancer cells. Other than ellagitannin, red raspberries also contain a wide range of biologically active phenols including quercetin. These phenols are antioxidants and protects cells of the body against damage caused by free radicals. In the food industry, dried raspberry pomace can be used as an effective and practical alternative to whole raspberries.
Blackcurrant
The blackcurrant is the fruit of Ribes nigrum, a woody shrub native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. Blackcurrants are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatic disease. That medical application is supported by recent research, showing that blackcurrants are rich in polyphenols, mostly anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory activity. In addition to the anthocyanins, the oil of blackcurrant pomace is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of blackcurrant pomace protects the skin, joints and gut from inflammatory conditions, thus supporting healthy skin, joints and intestine. These effects will reflect in optimum skin condition, adequate mobility and good faeces consistency.
Strawberries
The Romans were the first to record the medicinal uses of strawberries, which were consumed to treat gout and digestive problems. Recent research has demonstrated that strawberry is a rich source of bioactive compounds which explains its beneficial health effects. The active principles in strawberries and strawberry pomace are phenols and ellagitannins. The phenol fraction of strawberry pomace contains anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activity. Inhibition of excessive inflammation prevents the development of inflammatory skin, joint and gut problems. Inhibition of undesired oxidation in body cells protects against oxidative damage, which counteracts aging and its associated degenerative diseases.
Pomegranate
The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit with beautifully arranged seeds surrounded by translucent red flesh. The seeds and the outer skin are popular in traditional Ayurveda medicine. The fruit skin is used to prevent and treat diarrhea. The seeds are prescribed to support health of heart, throat and eyes. 50% of pomegranate pomace consists of fibres, contributing to gut health. The insoluble fibres act as promoter of gut motility while the soluble fibres have prebiotic activity. The soluble fibres support the growth of good bacteria in the large intestine. Recent research has identified two main active components in pomegranate – a powerful antioxidant and a special polyunsaturated fatty acid, namely ellagitannin and punicic acid. There is increasing evidence that punicic acid supports heart and joint health and reduces cancer risk.
Lemon
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, lemon is used to alleviate various ailments. The fruit is taken to stimulate appetite, stop diarrhea and heal skin conditions. Similar applications of the fruit juice and ground peels are seen in traditional Chinese medicine. Lemon pomace, consisting of ground peels is a rich source of flavonoids and limonin. Lemon pomace also contains pectin. Flavonoids, a group of substances with variable phenolic structures, have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activity. The pectin of lemon pomace promotes intestinal motility, good bacteria in the large intestines and firm stools. Pectin is preferred substrate for the growth of good intestinal bacteria, thus enhancing their growth. Limonin, a terpene falling under the limonoids, exhibits a wide range of health benefits including anti-cancer and anti-infection activities.
Aronia fruits
Traditionally, the Aronia fruits have been used by the Potawatomi Native Indians to cure colds. Aronia pomace has health promoting effects, mainly through the anthocyanins in the phenol fraction of the berries. Various studies have demonstrated that anthocyanins from the Aronia fruit exhibit anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The anthocyanins in Aronia pomace prevent the development of inflammatory skin, joint and gut problems. Inhibition of undesired oxidation in body cells protects against oxidative damage. Aronia pomace also contains procyanidins with anti0oxidative activity. The two antioxidant activities make Aronia pomace a broad and strong inhibitor of the formation of free radicals in body cells.
These super fruits can be used in various application in the food industry. They can be used in smoothies, bars, sports foods and even pet foods. They will also look good in ingredient list and nutritional information panel of the label.