Sea buckthorn, also known as Seaberry, is a deciduous and thorny plant that has berries and leaves that are widely used for nutritional, pharmaceutical, and functional properties due to being rich sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, B, E, and polyphenols. As the interest in functional foods and nutraceuticals continues to increase, sea buckthorn represents a sustainable health-enhancing option worthy of further investigation for potential therapeutic applications.
“Sea buckthorn is a unique crop with vast potential for utilisation. Popular in Asia and North-Western Europe, there is an opportunity to replicate this success in North America by leveraging the unique qualities of locally grown varieties,” said Renan Danielski, a Ph.D. student at the University of Newfoundland (NFLD) and author of the study.
“Understanding how our cultivar compares globally can help communicate the benefits to consumers and establish a market presence,” notes Fereidoon Shahidi, Professor of Biochemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland and corresponding author of the study.
The findings reveal the presence of potent polyphenolic compounds within sea buckthorn seeds and pomace with a range of potential health benefits and identified several distinct compounds with enhanced bioactivity that are only found in the sea buckthorn cultivar grown in NFLD. Additionally, these extracts demonstrated promising in vitro antidiabetic and anti-obesity potential.
“This is a first step in understanding how sea buckthorn polyphenols can modulate our physiology in a beneficial manner. Future research needs to focus on understanding the mechanisms behind those effects and further experimentation using animal models and humans. If these effects are confirmed in vivo, we can envision the use of sea buckthorn polyphenols for therapeutic and pharmacological purposes, aiding in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions,” remarked Danielski.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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