Rome, Italy – In the global agri-food landscape, berries are increasingly establishing themselves as true "superfoods", thanks to a growing body of scientific evidence supporting their remarkable health benefits.
The industry is eagerly awaiting the 10th Biennial Berry Health Benefits Symposium (BHBS), a flagship event organized by the National Berry Crops Initiative (NBCI), which will take place on October 7–8, 2025, with an optional regional berry tour on October 9.
Gut health: the heart of research
One of the most anticipated sessions will focus on the critical link between berries and gut health, chaired by Dr. Jess Reed of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
This research area is of key importance, considering the central role of the gut microbiota in overall human well-being.
The program will explore various berry types and their specific impacts:
- Dr. Susanne Talcott from Texas A&M University will examine the potential of cranberry polyphenols in preventing and managing colds and flu.
- Dr. Minghua Tang from Colorado State University will present research on the effect of blueberries as a first food in the development of infant gut microbiota and immunity, suggesting an early and essential role for these fruits.
- Dr. Bradley Bolling from the University of Wisconsin–Madison will illustrate how aronia may provide gut health benefits that go "beyond the sum of its parts".
- A highlight will be the Keynote Talk by Dr. Johanna Lampe from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, addressing the intriguing question of "Diet and the Gut Microbiome": Whose diet is it?
- Dr. Ana Maria Rodriguez-Mateos of King’s College London will focus on the role of microbial metabolism in the health benefits derived from berry consumption.
Sharp mind and healthy heart
Another critical research area focuses on the effects of berries on cognition and cardiometabolic health, with sessions chaired by Dr. Barbara Shukitt-Hale (USDA-ARS / Tufts University) for cognition and Dr. Britt Burton-Freeman (Illinois Institute of Technology) for cardiometabolic health.
Among the scheduled presentations:
- Dr. Chin-Kun Wang of Chung Shan Medical University will present results from a clinical trial on the effectiveness of black raspberries and wild blueberries in improving neurodegeneration and dementia.
- Di Xiao from the Illinois Institute of Technology will present changes in cognitive performance, gut microbiome and metabolism following strawberry supplementation in middle-aged at-risk individuals.
- Dr. Christine Bösch from the University of Leeds will share a pilot study on the effects of wild blueberries on obesity, focusing on starch digestion and satiety through gut-brain axis activation.
- Dr. Aedin Cassidy of Queen’s University Belfast will present a systematic review and meta-analysis on anthocyanin intake and cardiometabolic health.
- Dr. Shirin Hooshmand from San Diego State University will explore the impact of strawberries on cognitive function and cardiovascular health in older adults.
- Dr. Rafaela Feresin from Georgia State University will provide early clinical insights, supported by animal models, on the impact of berries on cardiometabolic, gut and cognitive outcomes.
- Dr. Arpita Basu from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas will present a randomized controlled trial on the role of freeze-dried strawberries in glycemic control and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in adults with prediabetes.
Beyond nutrition: genomics and metabolism
The "Special Topics" session, chaired by Dr. Mary Ann Lila of North Carolina State University, will broaden the perspective, touching on innovative aspects such as the connection between the genetic composition of berries and their health benefits.
In this session:
- Nicholas Gillitt from Berkley Labs will question the greater impact of berries on human metabolism.
- Dr. Massimo Iorizzo of North Carolina State University will discuss how to bridge the gap between genomics, berry genetics and health-relevant traits.
- Dr. Dragan Milenkovic, also from North Carolina State University, will present a nutrigenomic analysis of anthocyanins in brain endothelial cells, exploring their impact on endothelial permeability and molecular mechanisms of action.
The research presented at the 10th Biennial Berry Health Benefits Symposium represents a major step forward in the scientific understanding of berries.
For the Italian and international agri-food sector, these findings offer an unprecedented opportunity to reinforce the narrative of the intrinsic value of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
Text and image source: nationalberrycrops.org
