Sometimes it seems like new so-called “superfoods” – nutrient-dense foods with many health benefits – are constantly coming out. Thanks to new research, the latest addition to the pile is sea buckthorn berry. But can these tiny, bright orange balls really tackle diabetes and obesity as some headlines claim?
What is sea buckthorn berry?
Sea buckthorn fruit comes from a plant called sea buckthorn, which, as you might have guessed, is scientifically classified as: Hippophae rhamnoides. This is a large thorny shrub that can be found in a variety of locations due to its resistance to the elements. mountainous area and coastal areas.
After flowering in the spring, in late summer you will see female sea buckthorn plants covered in small, bright orange fruits, which are also edible.
But as for what it tastes like, says Catherine Cleary. irish times “The good news is that sea buckthorn berries are rich in vitamin C. The bad news is that they don’t taste very good.”
Use in traditional medicine
Although sea buckthorn berries have only recently become known as a mainstream superfood, it is believed that sea buckthorn berries have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years.
they are said to support Diseases ranging from coughs to digestive problems in Tibet and Mongolia. Skin diseases and asthma around the Himalayan region of Russia and India. It even causes high blood pressure in some Central Asian countries.
Is the hype worth it?
Because sea buckthorn fruit is traditionally used extensively, scientists have analyzed the fruit’s composition and determined which ingredients, if any, it contains may provide a range of impressive health benefits. I’m interested in finding out if there is.
at a glance, Many A study investigating sea buckthorn berries and their relationship to health found that quantity does not necessarily equate to quality, and that the presence of specific compounds associated with health benefits does not guarantee that the berry will have the same effect. there is no.
for example, 2019 survey Research into sea buckthorn oil, which is made from the fruit’s seeds and pulp, revealed that it is a rich source of omega-7 fatty acids. These are thought to have a role in maintaining and reducing inflammation in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and reproductive organs. However, the study concluded that there is limited evidence to support this oil’s clear positive effects on health, with the authors stating that “most of the results obtained in this review “It was obtained from a study of isolated fatty acids, not fatty acids extracted from the thorn plant.” oil”.
more recent study The berry’s nutritional profile and exploration of its potential to combat diabetes and obesity have garnered a lot of attention, with major tabloids reporting on it. new york post He calls sea buckthorn berries “a strange fruit that can make a big difference in weight loss.” This is a pretty strong claim, but what does the actual research look like?
With researcher Renan Danielski Fereydoun Shahidi This study from Memorial University of Newfoundland is the first to introduce a technology called (take a deep breath before you say this word) ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet-mass spectrometry-time-of-flight (UPLC-UV-MS-TOF). It was used. Determine the nutritional content of berries.
Researchers have found that berries are rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, which are thought to have antioxidant properties that are beneficial to health. Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells.
Therefore, the authors investigated the antioxidant activity of sea buckthorn berry extract and tested supercoiled DNA samples (free radicals can damage DNA) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (whose oxidized form is found in dental plaque). (involved in the accumulation of). In the arteries – due to oxidative damage. At first glance, berries suggest that they have health-protecting properties.
The study also concluded that the berry has “anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential” after finding the extract had the ability to inhibit two enzymes involved in the condition.
The authors call these results “promising,” but that’s all there is to say about unmet potential. There is no firm conclusion that eating a lot of sea buckthorn fruit will cure human diseases 100 percent.
The main reasons are that a) it’s just one study, and scientists generally need more to give weight to a theory, and b) the study was performed. in vitro So instead of an actual living body, it’s in a plate containing 96 tiny test tubes.
As a result, the fruit maybe It plays a role in the treatment of diabetes and obesity, but the true extent of that role will not be known until further testing. in vitro And cells, animals, and of course humans.
Danielski acknowledges this. statementcalling this research a “first step.”
“Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms behind those effects and further experiments using animal models and humans,” the study authors explained. “If these effects are confirmed in vivo, we can imagine using sea buckthorn polyphenols for therapeutic and pharmacological purposes to help prevent and treat diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions.”
In other words, calling sea buckthorn berry a “weight loss game changer” is moot without further research. But if you still want to eat a lot of berries, we won’t stop you (but be careful if you’re foraging for them) – there’s not enough evidence that it’s a “superfood” there is no.
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The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
