Graduate Studies at the Nexus of

Global Horticulture and Human Nutrition to Enhance Community Resilience and Food Security

Blackberry Polyphenols and Their Role in Health Promotion

Role of blackberry polyphenols in prevention of chronic diseases

Funding for this project (# 2016-07259) was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Higher Education Challenge (HEC) grant program. This project is in collaboration with the University of Arkansas, Texas Tech University, and The Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M University.

Overview

Blackberries are a rich source of polyphenols, compounds thought to protect against a host of chronic diseases. The polyphenol composition of blackberries is influenced by several factors including genetics, growing season and maturation. In this lesson, you will learn about the major polyphenols in blackberries as well as factors influencing their concentration, and how their health-promoting properties impact human health.

Objectives
  • Identify and list major polyphenols in blackberries
  • Describe the mechanisms responsible for health benefits of polyphenols
Level of Instruction

Graduate

Learner Prerequisite Knowledge
Common berry polyphenols, basic human metabolism

 

Instructor Preparation/Notes

Read all associated reading materials, have existing knowledge of the subject matter

Instructions

Learner time required: this lesson should take a well-informed student one to two hours to complete. 

Read through the materials and watch the video. At the end, there is a self-exam that you can use to assess if you have met the objectives. 

Luke Howard

Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Food Science

University of Arkansas