Berry drink shows skin benefits
50 healthy 40-65 year-olds consumed a 30 millilitre drink manufactured by Danish company Asiros, with the researchers attributing the skin benefits to the polyphenol Ribetril A found in the berries.
Polyphenols like Ribetril A interact with enzymes and cellular mitochondria and some of this data was presented at the International Resveratrol Conference in Dijon, France, last November.
The present study showed 6% increase in facial cutaneous microcirculation and 9% improvement in facial skin moisurisation after 12 weeks.
There are no approved health claims in the European Union for Ribetril A but Asiros has a drink on the Danish market called MitoActive formulated with "additional magnesium giving it EFSA [European Food Safety Authority] claims relevant to the effects of the extract, including counteraction of tiredness and fatigue which to the consumer means 'more energy'."
The research, which has been sent to journals for peer review, also showed hair and nail benefits. NutraIngredients has not seen the full details of this study.
Polyphenols constitute a diverse class of secondary plant compounds, or phytochemicals. High concentrations are found in the outer parts of fruits and vegetables, such as apple, berries or potato peel, in leafy vegetables, cereals, cacao and coffee beans.
A large body of research indicates polyphenols possess antioxidant activity and they have been associated with better blood flow, a reduction in the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease, among other health benefits.
