Spring Break
Pharmacy professor studies produce to benefit human health
Betsy Cohen
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: News
|
"Superfoods Help Heart Health: Cardiovascular Health,," an article published in National Outlook in April of 2008, states, "a superfood is one that is rich in nutrients." Such foods include, yet are not limited to, "exotic foods such as pomegranate, acai, goji, mangosteen, spirulina, blueberries, and cranberries."
The online outline of the 2009 Berry Health Symposium, which will be held from June 22-23 in Monterey, Calif., further explains that "berries are increasingly viewed as having a profound impact against the diseases of aging, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and age related mental decline."
Seeram will have the honor of being the chair for the session regarding Berry Compositional Chemistry & Biological/Health Effects.
At the convention held in Oregon in 2007, Seeram presented Berry Fruits for Cancer Prevention: Current Status & Future Prospects. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry states the intention of the 2007 symposium was to reinforce the positive effects eating berries can have in the prevention of diseases, examine the compositional elements and biochemical activities of berries and their relationship to a great number of observed health benefits.
"Because of [the] immobility [of these medicinal plants, they] have evolved over time to make vital nutrients and phytochemicals as a way to protect themselves," Seeram said. "The fruits have some basic added bonuses, a triple whammy...of vitamins, folate, and good fiber. You're getting this big whack of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals that can prevent the onset of diseases medicated by inflammation such as heart disease and cancer."
