Berries continue to surprise the scientific community. Not only for their high-level nutritional profile, but also for the functional role they may play in the prevention of certain diseases.
Among the emerging research frontiers is oral health: raspberries (Rubus idaeus), thanks to their rich phytochemical composition, are positioning themselves as natural allies against biofilm formation in the oral cavity.
The oral microbiota and the biofilm challenge
The mouth is a complex ecosystem inhabited by bacteria and fungi coexisting in dynamic balance. Among them is Candida albicans, a microorganism normally present but capable, under certain conditions, of becoming pathogenic.
The critical step is the formation of the so-called “biofilm”: a protective structure that allows microorganisms to firmly adhere to teeth, gums, and dental prostheses.
Once organized into biofilms, pathogens become far more resistant to conventional treatments, because the matrix that surrounds them limits drug penetration.
Raspberry tannins: a natural anti-adhesion action
This mechanism underlies widespread conditions such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, and stomatitis. Counteracting microbial adhesion before biofilm structuring occurs therefore represents one of the main challenges of modern oral hygiene.
It is precisely within this framework that the potential of raspberries emerges. Rich in polyphenols, and particularly in tannins, both hydrolyzable and condensed, these small fruits express antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are already widely recognized.
Varieties and concentrations: when less is more
The most recent scientific evidence indicates that specific raspberry extracts, obtained from both ripe and unripe fruits, exert an “anti-adhesion” effect against Candida albicans.
Rather than acting as a traditional antifungal agent, eliminating the microorganism, phytochemical compounds intervene upstream in the process: they prevent the fungus from anchoring to oral surfaces, thereby blocking biofilm formation.
This approach makes it possible to preserve microbiota balance without resorting to aggressive strategies, instead promoting a natural modulation of microbial interactions.
From field to prevention: a new vision of food
Analyses conducted on different raspberry cultivars, including Polka, Grignon and Tulamine, have highlighted a particularly interesting aspect: effectiveness is observed even at very low concentrations of specific compounds.
Raspberry extract was able to inhibit up to 80% of microbial adhesion, demonstrating a mechanism of action distinct from common antifungals, which tend to lose effectiveness against already-formed biofilms.
These findings open concrete prospects for the development of innovative oral care products, such as mouthwashes, gels, or functional supplements based on berry extracts.
A natural prophylactic strategy that, according to the available evidence, shows no toxicity to human cells.
Raspberries are thus confirmed not only as key players in agri-food supply chains for quality and market appeal, but also as a reservoir of high value-added bioactive molecules. The ability of their tannins to interfere with Candida biofilm formation expands the understanding of the health potential of berries.
The prospect that common food components may have a targeted impact on oral health reinforces an advanced vision of nutrition: food no longer seen solely as a source of energy and pleasure, but as an integrated preventive tool in everyday life.
For the berry sector, this represents a further strategic milestone: scientific innovation and functional valorization can move forward together, offering new development opportunities across the entire supply chain, from primary production to nutraceutical and cosmetic segments.
Source: Dutreix L, Bernard C, Juin C, Imbert C, Girardot M. Do raspberry extracts and fractions have antifungal or anti-adherent potential against Candida spp.? Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2018 Dec;52(6):947-953. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2018.08.020. Epub 2018 Sep 1. PMID: 30179710.
Image source: Canva
