About this Research Topic
Consuming fruits and vegetables has been linked to a better quality of life and a reduced risk of developing diseases, leading to increased life expectancy. Within this panorama Vaccinium genus berries stand out as preeminent dietary sources of bioactive compounds, whose consumption repercusses in a positive health impact. Common consumed Vaccinium berries include blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and cranberry (e.g., Vaccinium macrocarpon), among several other edible fruits belonging to this classification, which comprises less known Vaccinium sp. regional fruits yet to be further described.
Vaccinium berries are a rich natural source of biologically active compounds, and efforts have been made to identify factors that modulate their composition. All Vaccinium genus berries present, in natura, high amounts of phytochemical compounds related to promotion of health benefits, especially phenolic compounds including flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids), tannins, and phenolic acids. However, the qualitative and quantitative composition of Vaccinium berries is highly specific to each species and can serve as their unique ‘fingerprint’, determining their potential health benefits. Such diversity is still amplified by other factors (e.g., site and process of cultivation, ripening and harvesting, processing), and is not always considered when reporting biological effects of berries consumption, which may represent a cause to conflicting results and to difficulties translating basic experimental studies (e.g., in vitro and in vivo animal’s studies) into more complexed trials.
Vaccinium berries and their bioactive compounds have been associated with various health benefits, including protection against cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and cancer. These benefits are attributed to the modification of circulating lipids, maintenance of cellular redox balance, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumoral activities, and the recent discovery of their impact on gut microbiome. Despite the scientific evidence, questions remain regarding the mechanisms of action of Vaccinium components, the most effective forms of ingestion or dosages, and supplementation protocols. It is unclear how Vaccinium berries should be consumed to achieve their health-promoting effects, whether through isolated components/extracts, fresh fruits, functional foods, or specific dietary patterns. Before strict recommendations can be made, further research is needed to address these questions and determine the practical applications of Vaccinium berries as an adjunctive therapeutic or health-promoting agent for specific diseases, health conditions, or physiological states.
The aim of this Research Topic is to create a platform for researchers to share and discuss the most recent discoveries regarding the phytochemical composition of Vaccinium berries and their connection to health, molecular mechanisms of action, as well as their nutritional properties and potential benefits for supporting health or therapeutics. The research presented will contribute to framing recommendations on effective dietary and remedial strategies using Vaccinium berries and their components in a broad range of health conditions and across various population groups or physiological states.
Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Health-promoting effects of the chemical composition of Vaccinium berries, including their macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
• Bioactive compounds present in Vaccinium berries, including non-digestible compounds, and their potential health benefits.
• Molecular mechanisms of action of Vaccinium berry compounds and their impact on human health.
• Vaccinium berries as an element of health-modulating dietary patterns.
• Role of Vaccinium berries in promoting gut health and modulating the gut microbiome.
• Potential applications of Vaccinium berries in managing chronic diseases, inter alia cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
• Vaccinium berries and physical exercise – the impact of Vaccinium berries on physical capacity and exercise performance, exercise adaptation and post-exercise recovery.
• New non-traditional/less-known/regional Vaccinium berries effects on biological systems.
The contribution in the form of original papers (in vitro and in vivo investigations in humans and on animal models) and review papers (systematic reviews and meta-analyses) are highly welcomed.
Vaccinium berries are a rich natural source of biologically active compounds, and efforts have been made to identify factors that modulate their composition. All Vaccinium genus berries present, in natura, high amounts of phytochemical compounds related to promotion of health benefits, especially phenolic compounds including flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids), tannins, and phenolic acids. However, the qualitative and quantitative composition of Vaccinium berries is highly specific to each species and can serve as their unique ‘fingerprint’, determining their potential health benefits. Such diversity is still amplified by other factors (e.g., site and process of cultivation, ripening and harvesting, processing), and is not always considered when reporting biological effects of berries consumption, which may represent a cause to conflicting results and to difficulties translating basic experimental studies (e.g., in vitro and in vivo animal’s studies) into more complexed trials.
Vaccinium berries and their bioactive compounds have been associated with various health benefits, including protection against cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and cancer. These benefits are attributed to the modification of circulating lipids, maintenance of cellular redox balance, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumoral activities, and the recent discovery of their impact on gut microbiome. Despite the scientific evidence, questions remain regarding the mechanisms of action of Vaccinium components, the most effective forms of ingestion or dosages, and supplementation protocols. It is unclear how Vaccinium berries should be consumed to achieve their health-promoting effects, whether through isolated components/extracts, fresh fruits, functional foods, or specific dietary patterns. Before strict recommendations can be made, further research is needed to address these questions and determine the practical applications of Vaccinium berries as an adjunctive therapeutic or health-promoting agent for specific diseases, health conditions, or physiological states.
The aim of this Research Topic is to create a platform for researchers to share and discuss the most recent discoveries regarding the phytochemical composition of Vaccinium berries and their connection to health, molecular mechanisms of action, as well as their nutritional properties and potential benefits for supporting health or therapeutics. The research presented will contribute to framing recommendations on effective dietary and remedial strategies using Vaccinium berries and their components in a broad range of health conditions and across various population groups or physiological states.
Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Health-promoting effects of the chemical composition of Vaccinium berries, including their macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
• Bioactive compounds present in Vaccinium berries, including non-digestible compounds, and their potential health benefits.
• Molecular mechanisms of action of Vaccinium berry compounds and their impact on human health.
• Vaccinium berries as an element of health-modulating dietary patterns.
• Role of Vaccinium berries in promoting gut health and modulating the gut microbiome.
• Potential applications of Vaccinium berries in managing chronic diseases, inter alia cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
• Vaccinium berries and physical exercise – the impact of Vaccinium berries on physical capacity and exercise performance, exercise adaptation and post-exercise recovery.
• New non-traditional/less-known/regional Vaccinium berries effects on biological systems.
The contribution in the form of original papers (in vitro and in vivo investigations in humans and on animal models) and review papers (systematic reviews and meta-analyses) are highly welcomed.
Keywords: vaccinium, berry, chemical composition, phytochemicals, diet, functional foods, dietary patterns, health, ageing, oxidative stress, inflammation, immune response, microbial challenge, strenuous exercises challenge
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
