Phenolics are natural plant-based compounds which give blackberries their distinctive colour and have many potential health benefits.

A new study published in the Food Chemistry Journal 1 undertook a lab-based digestion and fermentation model of blackberries to see how easily these beneficial compounds are absorbed.

Researchers found absorption to be high, with 43% of the plant-based compound remaining in the colon. Phenolics enable the gut flora to flourish, with desirable bacteria (Bacteroidetes) – good for the gut – increasing and less desirable bacteria (Firmicutes) – typically poor for the gut – decreasing.

This scientific research highlights the potential digestive benefits of blackberries, which could aid gut health including the symptom relief of IBS. One third of Brits suffer from IBS and one in 10 seek medical advice for the condition 2, so the potential benefits of blackberries could be widespread. Ongoing human studies are now needed.

Dr Emma Derbyshire, Public Health Nutritionist and adviser to British Summer Fruits commented: “These
findings are important and of great interest given the growing interest around gut health. Clearly, large scale clinical human trials are needed to build on these findings. In the meantime, including blackberries within your daily diet is an easy way to obtain
useful amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, dietary fibre along with these potentially desirable phenolics.”

The appetite for blackberries is increasing in the UK with an estimated 25.5 million punnets sold last year, an 8% uplift on 2020.

In part, this growth can be attributed to the careful breeding of the fruit in recent years – which has ensured that the blackberries bought in supermarkets are typically
bigger, juicier and sweeter than their hedgerow counterparts.

To help bring more blackberries into your diet, explore the range of delicious blackberry recipes available at
www.lovefreshberries.co.uk/recipes