Effects of Phytochemicals in Native Berries on the Reduction of Risk Factors of Age-Related Diseases

Native berries that grow in the southern area of Chile, including the Patagonia, are recognized as foods that exert beneficial effects on health, mainly due to their high content of phenolic compounds. The majority of native berry fruits belong to the Myrtaceae (Murtilla), Berberidaceae (Calafate), Ericaceae (Chaura), Elaeocarpaceae (Maqui), and Rosaceae (Chilean strawberry) families, many of which have been traditionally used by the locals as food and herbal medicines. These berry fruits have a high content of phenolic compounds (especially anthocyanins, responsible for their pink, red, blue, and purple colors) and exhibit very high antioxidant capacity in vitro, and relevant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. The results of randomized dietary intervention clinical trials with berries are also reported, and relevant mechanisms of protection against the oxidative stress/inflammation damage involved in the development of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and mental disorders, are described.