Berry Health Benefits Symposium Presents Latest Research into Colorful Superfoods
Since 2005, The Berry Health Benefits Symposium has offered a unique opportunity for those passionate about the possibilities of the remarkable berry. Berries have been increasingly in the spotlight as research uncovers their powerful anti-aging properties and the impact they have on human health. This June, the 3rd Biennial Berry Health Benefits Symposium will be held in Monterey, California, and presentations concerning the role of berries in the fields of obesity, skin cancer, colon cancer, brain health, and vision will figure prominently.
The symposium is hosted by major U.S. berry organizations in an effort to support the scientific work that is being done in the field of berry research. The event brings together health and wellness practitioners, members of the scientific community, researchers, food industry professionals, and members of the public to network and learn about the effect of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and cranberries on disease prevention.
“Each event has contributed an astonishing amount of important research on berries and their positive impact on human health and wellness,” said Cat McKenzie, Marketing Director of the Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission, and organizer of the symposium. “We feature the leading researchers from around the world who are working with how berries affect a large variety of health concerns including brain aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolism and a host of other health issues.”
Dr. Jim Joseph, who is a member of the distinguished collective that meets in Maine to share research concerning Wild Blueberries, will serve as the symposium’s keynote speaker. “Scientists and researchers from WBANA’s ‘Bar Harbor Group’ will take a leading role in bringing the latest research to the health and scientific community,” said Susan Davis, MS, RD, nutrition advisor and spokesperson for the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. “Bar Harbor Group members will be part of introducing important new research that includes breakthroughs in areas of heart health, brain health, vision health, and cancer.”
Joseph is the Director of the Neuroscience Laboratory at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. He will share new research that indicates that diets rich in the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, like those found in Wild Blueberries and other berries, may reduce declines in the cognitive function that comes with aging and lower the risk of developing age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Also presenting at the symposium will be Bar Harbor Group member Dr. Barbara Shukitt-Hale, a USDA Staff Scientist in the Neuroscience Laboratory at Tufts University. Shukitt-Hale will discuss her research in functional age-related deficits in motor and cognitive behavior — her work has shown that a diet supplemented with blueberry extract could reverse these deficits.
“Wild Blueberries will be discussed often during this event because of the interest among researchers in the unique characteristics of the berries and their potential impact on disease prevention,” said Davis. “Wild Blueberries continue to generate interest in leading areas of age-related health research. Their antioxidants and inflammatory compounds help prevent the diseases of aging, such as heart disease and cancer, and they lower the risk of developing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and macular degeneration.”
Other Bar Harbor Group members presenting their research will be Dr. Mary Ann Lila, Director of the Plants for Human Health Institute at North Carolina State University, whose research focuses on the alleviation of the symptoms of diabetes and metabolic syndrome; Dr. Amy Howell, Marucci Center for Blueberry Cranberry Research at Rutgers University, who has conducted work on isolating natural products from cranberries and blueberries that benefit health; Dr. Wilhemina Kalt, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, who will present recent research on blueberries and vision; and Dr. Ron Prior of the USDA-ARS Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center, who will present his findings on the effects of foods high in anthocyanins on the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
This year, a free public session will be part of the event in an effort to reach out to the consumer. The public session will offer an overview of the symposium research presented in lay terms by a panel of the Session Chairs, a sampling of berry products, and a cooking demonstration with commentary by Janie Hibler, author of The Berry Bible. The event also features a Bay Berry Tour, which will provide a first-hand look at the 15,000 berry acres under cultivation in Monterey and a chance to meet their berry farmers.
“It is an exciting time for the powerful berry,” Davis said, “and this year’s symposium will not only highlight the great impact that berries can have on our quality of life, but it will contribute toward making new breakthroughs possible in the future.”
The 3rd Biennial Berry Health Benefits Symposium will be held at the Portola Plaza Hotel in the heart of Monterey, June 22 – 23, 2009. More information on the event can be found at www.berryhealth.org.
