**Abstract**

This chapter is based in the compilation and analysis of different in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies, which explored the potential beneficial bioactivity of supplementation with berries on some alterations in the central nervous system (CNS). The last section of the chapter describes the possible mechanisms of action of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and other compounds present in berries as well as their relationship with anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD) and their implication in the prevention of cognitive decline and senescence motor functions. Electronic databases as Springer, PubMed, Scopus, and Elsevier were used. Papers were selected by topic specially those related with berries, year of publication, and authors. The present chapter evidenced the potential health effect as neuroprotector of different berries and their bioactive compounds mainly flavonoids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins, on diseases such as anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In conclusion, for human nutrition berry fruit supplementation might be an excellent source of antioxidant and alternative for prevention and reduction of symptoms in diseases such as anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.

**Keywords:** berry, anthocyanins, polyphenols, neuroprotection, prevention

### **1. Introduction**

Berries with a high antioxidant activity have drawn the attention of scientists due to their potential antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective-related effects, identified in in vivo studies [1]. It is well established that many species of berries, for example, strawberries (*Fragaria ananassa*), blueberries (*Vaccinium corymbosum*), raspberries (*Rubus idaeus*), and blackberries (*Rubus fruticosus*), are rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and anthocyanins. These compounds could be a supplementation alternative because

they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in various structures [2, 3] related to learning, memory, cognition process, and modification of behavior. In addition, their anti-neurodegenerative properties have been observed in diseases such as anxiety associated with stressful events [4] and reduction of depression, AD, and PD symptoms. Additionally, an association has been observed between the consumption of berries and increase in dendritic spine density in some brain structures and hippocampal neurogenesis [5]. In this way, the berry consumption and their bioactive compounds (i.e., polyphenols and anthocyanins) might be an excellent alternative for human nutrition when consumed fresh. They can be consumed as yogurt, juice, jam, or like dietary supplements that can be used as functional and nutraceutical foods.

Food is considered as a functional food if, in addition to its basic nutritional, it generates a beneficial effect in the physiological processes in the organism [6]. In the same way, a nutraceutical is a food or part of a food that produces health benefits besides its nutritional content [7, 8]. In the present chapter, we discuss the potential beneficial effects of berries and their derivatives on some central nervous system diseases.

### **2. Berries**

Enhanced consumption of fruits and vegetables is highly recommended in dietary guidelines. Specially, the consumption of berries is recommended due to their antioxidant properties [1]. Berries, in botanical terms, are defined as fleshy fruits that emerge from the plant ovary that encloses the seeds; due to this, berries include grapes, blueberries, black currants, and coffee beans [9].

In this chapter we will focus on strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, chokeberries, black currants, and blackberries, among other endemic fruits. We selected these fruits because, in addition to being rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins, they are the most consumed in human diet; therefore, more studies related to their supplementation and chemical composition have been published.

Berries (i.e., blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberry) are popularly consumed either fresh, frozen, or processed as yogurts, beverages, jam and jellies, as well as dried or canned. Furthermore, berry extracts have been used as a functional food or dietary supplement [1].

Berries (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, and Brazilian berries {*Eugenia uniflora L.*}) are considered an important group within functional foods, since multiple investigations have shown that their consumption produces beneficial health effects ranging from the mitigation of adverse physiological processes related to cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders to the amelioration of cognitive brain functions [10]. This highlights their ability to modulate neuroinflammation [11], glucoregulation [12], brain vascular function [13], and hippocampal neurogenesis [5]. These effects have been linked to their chemical compounds, specifically, to the presence of phenolic compounds in these fruits [14]. **Table 1** shows specifically most consumed berries, their effect produced, and metabolite involved.

Even though the composition and the content of these compounds are dependent on the plant species, production status, agricultural processing, and storage, berries are an excellent source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins [20, 21], which have been related to their potential beneficial effects on health.

**29**

among others [22].

*Berry Supplementation and Their Beneficial Effects on Some Central Nervous System Disorders*

**Berry Effect Metabolite involved Ref**

Blackberry *(Rubus sp.)* Antioxidant Anthocyanins (870 mg) [9]

neuroinflammation

neurogenesis

Anti-inflamatory/ hypoglycemic

Neuroprotection/ Proneurogenesis

Motor and cognitive function Anxiolytic Genoprotective

Grape (*\*NS*) Genoprotective Anthocyanins (1576.5 mg)/ Total

Antioxidant Anthocyanins (1202 mg) [9]

Antioxidant Polyphenols (13550 mg) [9]

(50-500 μg)

Glucoregulation Anthocyanins-flavonols (220 mg) [11]

phenolics (33 mg)

Anti-cancer Anthocyanins (314 mg) [14]

Total phenols (94.7 mg)/ Anthocyanins (39 mg)

phenolics (2750.4 mg)

Anthocyanins (94 mg)

Blueberry extract diet (20 g) (\*NS anthocyanins or polyphenols)

Anthocyanins (4968·3 ng) [17]

Anthocyanins (2.6-3.2 mg) [19]

Synaptic plasticity Anthocyanins (10.2 mg)/ Total

Flavonoids: various concentrations of blueberry [10]

[12]

[5]

[15]

[16]

[18]

**3. Active metabolites from berries with pharmacological activity**

dietary fibers and specifically contain provitamin A, minerals, vitamin C, and B complex vitamins. Additionally, fruits contain soluble solids, fructose, and chemopreventive agents as A, C, and E vitamins, folic acid, calcium, and selenium. Carotene and lutein are present in berries as well as phytosterols such as sitosterol and stigmasterol and also contain triterpene esters, and there is an excellent source of phenolic molecules such as flavonols, flavanols, proanthocyanidins, ellagitannins, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins specially cyanidin-3-glucoside, gallic acid, pelargonidin, delphinidin, peonidin, and malvidin,

The metabolism, bioavailability, and biological effects attributed to berries depend specifically on the type of chemical structure contained in its phenolic compounds that individually or synergistically exert protection against several health disorders [23]. **Table 2** shows the main phytochemical compounds present in

berries and their representative chemical structures.

Berries are rich in phytochemicals such as minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and

Vascular Polyphenols (835 mg)/

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90428*

Blueberry *(Vaccinium Virgatum A.)*

Strawberry *(Fragaria ananassa Duch.)*

Blueberry Highbush *(Vaccinium corymbosum)*

Blueberry *(Vaccinium corybosum)*

Strawberry Beverage

Blueberry Highbush *(Vaccinium corymbosum)*

Cranberry *(Vaccinium* 

Rabbiteye Blueberry *(Vacciniumn ashei)*

*NS: not specified; Ref: reference*

*Berries: effects and metabolites involved.*

*oxycoccus)*

**Table 1.**

Rasperry *(Rubus idaeus)*

*(\*NS)*

Blueberry *(\*NS)* Modulate

Blueberry *(\*NS)* Hippocampal

*Berry Supplementation and Their Beneficial Effects on Some Central Nervous System Disorders DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90428*


#### **Table 1.**

*Behavioral Pharmacology - From Basic to Clinical Research*

functional and nutraceutical foods.

system diseases.

**2. Berries**

published.

metabolite involved.

effects on health.

they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in various structures [2, 3] related to learning, memory, cognition process, and modification of behavior. In addition, their anti-neurodegenerative properties have been observed in diseases such as anxiety associated with stressful events [4] and reduction of depression, AD, and PD symptoms. Additionally, an association has been observed between the consumption of berries and increase in dendritic spine density in some brain structures and hippocampal neurogenesis [5]. In this way, the berry consumption and their bioactive compounds (i.e., polyphenols and anthocyanins) might be an excellent alternative for human nutrition when consumed fresh. They can be consumed as yogurt, juice, jam, or like dietary supplements that can be used as

Food is considered as a functional food if, in addition to its basic nutritional, it generates a beneficial effect in the physiological processes in the organism [6]. In the same way, a nutraceutical is a food or part of a food that produces health benefits besides its nutritional content [7, 8]. In the present chapter, we discuss the potential beneficial effects of berries and their derivatives on some central nervous

Enhanced consumption of fruits and vegetables is highly recommended in dietary guidelines. Specially, the consumption of berries is recommended due to their antioxidant properties [1]. Berries, in botanical terms, are defined as fleshy fruits that emerge from the plant ovary that encloses the seeds; due to this, berries

In this chapter we will focus on strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, chokeberries, black currants, and blackberries, among other endemic fruits. We selected these fruits because, in addition to being rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins, they are the most consumed in human diet; therefore, more studies related to their supplementation and chemical composition have been

Berries (i.e., blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberry) are popularly consumed either fresh, frozen, or processed as yogurts, beverages, jam and jellies, as well as dried or canned. Furthermore, berry

Berries (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, and Brazilian berries {*Eugenia uniflora L.*}) are considered an important group within functional foods, since multiple investigations have shown that their consumption produces beneficial health effects ranging from the mitigation of adverse physiological processes related to cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders to the amelioration of cognitive brain functions [10]. This highlights their ability to modulate neuroinflammation [11], glucoregulation [12], brain vascular function [13], and hippocampal neurogenesis [5]. These effects have been linked to their chemical compounds, specifically, to the presence of phenolic compounds in these fruits [14]. **Table 1** shows specifically most consumed berries, their effect produced, and

Even though the composition and the content of these compounds are dependent on the plant species, production status, agricultural processing, and storage, berries are an excellent source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins [20, 21], which have been related to their potential beneficial

extracts have been used as a functional food or dietary supplement [1].

include grapes, blueberries, black currants, and coffee beans [9].

**28**

*Berries: effects and metabolites involved.*
