Red fruits: virtues and applications in food production

Red fruits are a very popular ingredient in various types of foods. You can frequently find them in beverages, bakery products, sauces, snacks, confectionery, nutraceuticals and dairy products. The food industry uses them not only for their flavor, but also because they provide color and nutritional components (Allied Market Research, 2024). In this article, you will learn more about the current trends in the application of red fruits in food processing.

Essential facts about red fruits

Let's start at the beginning, what are red fruits? You might also know these small fruits as berries, and they belong to the Rosaceae family. They are fleshy fruits with seeds surrounded by pulp. In general, their flavor is a delicious combination of sweet and sour. You can also distinguish them by their vibrant reddish tones.

Furthermore, red fruits stand out for their nutritional content, especially for their high content of antioxidants and essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Therefore, it is highly recommended to include them in a regular diet. In fact, their consumption can improve cardiovascular health and lower cholesterol levels (Sabater, 2023).

Usually, doctors recommend the consumption of these antioxidant-rich fruits to combat high levels of free radicals. These are molecules that can cause cellular damage to different types, which over time lead to the aging of the organism. The name of this phenomenon is oxidative stress (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Let's see which red fruits are the most popular among consumers and in the food industry, and let's take a closer look at their attributes.

Strawberry

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. The regular consumption of this fruit, with its sweet taste and bright red color, provides diuretic, anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. Its flavonoids also help fight cognitive deterioration. Other benefits include (Echeverry, 2023; Robertson, 2023):

• Decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• It can help control blood sugar levels.
• Promotes electrolyte balance in the body, which maintains good hydration.
• Help maintain a stable mood.
• Improves skin health and helps eliminate toxins that accelerate aging.

Blackberry

Blackberry stands out as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, due to its high content of vitamins C and E and the flavonoid pigment anthocyanin. Similarly, its contribution of iron to the diet helps to improve the body's ability to transport oxygen to the cells (Betancourth, 2023).

Other advantages of consuming blackberry regularly are (Betancourth, 2023):

• Reduction of the risk of cerebrovascular accidents.
• Stimulation of digestion, thanks to its high fiber content.
• Strengthening of the immune system.
• Maintenance of eye health, specifically of the retina.

Raspberry

It has a delicious flavor and is a very good source of fiber. In addition, it contains ellagitannins, which are polyphenolic antioxidant compounds that combat oxidative stress in the body. This benefit is of great importance in the prevention of various chronic diseases (Robertson, 2023).

On top of that, they also provide large amounts of vitamin C, which is essential for the body's immune function and for the proper absorption of iron. Moreover, they are rich in tannins, which can help to keep blood sugar levels low and improve insulin resistance (Groves, 2023).

Blueberry

The red variety of this fruit helps reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. This is because it prevents certain bacteria from growing in the urinary tract and bladder. It also has the same effect on the stomach. In this way, it can help combat the risk of developing gastric ulcers and even cancer in this organ.

In addition, the consumption of blueberries is beneficial for cardiovascular health. It can lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels.

Now, this fruit has a rather marked sour taste. For this reason, it is most often consumed as juice (Robertson, 2023).

Other red fruits you shouldn't overlook.

There are numerous red fruits less well known than those already mentioned. Here is our selection of those with the most benefits (Lang and Shoemaker, 2023; Robertson, 2023):

Goji berry

Also known as Goji cherry or Tibetan cherry, this small sweet and sour fruit is widely used in traditional oriental medicine. It is ideal for eye health care, due to its high levels of vitamin A and the carotenoid zeaxanthin.

On the other hand, it is considered that it can positively impact the overall functioning of the body and metabolism, as it contains polyphenolic antioxidant compounds.

Hawthorn

These berries are a bit more acidic than the others on the list. People have used them in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat digestive and cardiovascular problems. In particular, they can have positive effects on:

• Blood pressure control.
• Cholesterol levels.
• Proper heart function.

Its antioxidant content also helps to combat oxidative stress in the body and chronic inflammation.

How are red fruits used in the food industry?

As mentioned, the food industry uses this type of fruit for various preparations. It appears in products in the categories of (Allied Market Research, 2024; T. Hasegawa, 2022):

• Bakery and pastry.
• Dairy products (yogurts, ice cream).
• Beverages (juices, smoothies, shakes, milkshakes, alcoholic beverages, tea, sports drinks).
• Confectionery (jams, desserts, and sweets).
• Snacks.

For example, blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry are trending flavors in the alcoholic beverage category. Blackberry is also popular in the sports drink industry. Likewise, mixed berry is a favored flavor by dairy consumers.

The ingredients are used in a variety of forms: from powder to puree. The latter is popular among producers in the industry, as it preserves the flavor and nutritional content of fresh fruit. Not only this, but it acts as a natural sweetener and often improves the color and texture of the food produced. In addition, puree offers logistical advantages, as it is easier to transport and store than fresh fruit. It also enhances the shelf life of the final products (Grand View Research, 2023; Persistence Market Research, 2023).

Therefore, it is not surprising that blackberry, blueberry or strawberry puree is an attractive input for creating various foods nowadays. In fact, the use of fruit puree in general has been growing in recent years and this trend is expected to continue soon. In the case of the U.S. market, the categories that use fruit purees the most are (Grand View Research, 2023):

• Beverages.
• Baked goods.
• Snacks.
• Baby food.

Trends boosting the use of red fruits in the industry

As you know, the use of fruits to produce food is not uncommon. Citrus or tropical fruits are usual ingredients that we can find in all kinds of products. However, red fruits are experiencing a booming market due to their nutritional properties.

Specifically, the market for these fruits has grown thanks to a spike in demand for natural flavors. This behavior stems from consumers' marked interest in healthy products. In particular, they seek items without artificial additives that negatively impact their well-being. They also favor foods that contribute to their good health naturally (Allied Market Research, 2024).

That’s why red fruits are currently an ingredient with great potential to conquer consumers. Their use in food processing has a great future, as people use throughout the industry in various categories.. In this scenario, the quality of the input is vital. For this reason, Alimentos SAS is an ideal ally for producers who have an interest in creating world-class food.

Bibliographic references

• Allied Market Research. (2024). Red Berries Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Application, by Type and, by Nature : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032.
• Betancourth, C. (2023). 11 beneficios que puedes obtener por consumir moras. Mejor con Salud.
• Echeverry, D. (2023). Los 9 beneficios que las fresas le aportan a tu salud. Mejor con Salud.
• Grand View Research. (2023). U.S. Fruit Puree Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Apple, Mango, Banana, Strawberry, Plum, Pear, Peaches, Mix), By Application (Beverages, Bakery, Snacks, Baby Foods), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 – 2030.
• Groves, M. (2023). Red Raspberries: Nutrition Facts, Benefits and More. Healthline.
• Lang, A. y Shoemaker, S. (2023). 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Hawthorn Berry. Healthline.
• Persistence Market Research. (2023). Fruit puree market.
• Robertson, R. (2023). 8 of the Healthiest Berries You Can Eat. Healthline.
• Sabater, V. (2023). Los grandes beneficios de los frutos rojos. Mejor con Salud.
• T. Hasegawa. (2022). Food and Beverage Flavor Trends Report.