Affiliations: Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia,
Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Z. Juranic, Institute of Oncology
and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. Tel.:
+381 112067290; Fax: +381 11685 300; E-mail: juranicz@ncrc.ac.yu
Abstract: Consumption of berries has been implicated with diverse health
benefits, such as prevention of stroke, of age-related degenerative diseases
and cancer. Some berry constituents have been proven to have cancer preventive
actions on chemically induced tumors in vivo and cancer suppressive effects in
in vitro studies. Many of these effects were attributed to certain berry
phytochemicals with high antioxidative potential that could contribute to, or
enhance by induction, the endogenous antioxidant properties of living cells or
organisms. Producers and the consumers of berry products need more
comprehensive and accurate information on the type and level of health benefits
that can be expected from different products. The choice of the chemical or
biological test that best predicts specific health benefits of berries is
crucial to provide targets for berry breeding programmes or to improve
processing methods. The aim of this review is to examine the chemical and
biological tests developed to characterize the impact of berries on consumer
health.
