A new modeling study has found that a service of fruit with berries each day dramatically improves the intake of anthocyanin and fiber, which offers a simple, cost -effective upgradation to the American diet.
Study: Effect of changing commonly consumed fruits in the United States with berries in USDA healthy diet patterns: a modeling analysisImage Credit: Sabino Parent / Shutterstock
In a recent study published in Medicine of analsA group of researchers evaluated the nutritional effects of replacing the fruits commonly eaten with berries in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) diet.
background
Why do most Americans eat the same fruit every day, such as apples, bananas and grapes, even if a wide variety is available? According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), most adults in the US do not eat fruits every day, and when they do, they often rely on a few types. This limited variety can reduce contact with important nutrients and bioactive compounds such as anthocyanin, which are particularly rich in berries.
Anthocyanin is associated with heart benefits and can improve vascular functions and metabolic health, although clinical intake recommendations are yet to be established. Despite these possible benefits, berries are minimized in specific American diets. Further research needs to understand how to improve overall nutrition quality by involving more berries in daily fruits.
About studies
Researchers used USDA food patterns modeling method, which to detect the nutritional effects of a daily service of commonly consumed fruits such as apples, bananas, or grapes with a serving of berries. This replacement was tested in three USDA diet models: Healthy Mediterranean-style (HMS), healthy United States-style (HOS), and healthy vegetarian (HV). Each model was designed for 2,000-calorie daily intake in the 7-day menu. Each day the fruit included two servings of the fruit, with seven of the fourteen weekly servings of common fruits with berries with intervention.
Nutrient analysis was performed using Elizabeth Stewart Hands and Associates (ESHA) Food Processor Software Syrson 11.14.x. Software used data from several databases, including USDA Fooddata Central and the USDA database for flavonoid content of selected foods, release 3.3. The 7-day menu included three cups of blueberries and four cups of mixed mixture (blackberry, raspberry and strawberry) in Berry Servings, a cup was consumed daily in place of a commonly eaten fruit.
Researchers evaluated changes in energy, macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates), diet fiber (total and soluble), vitamins, minerals and anthocyanins. Food costs were estimated from Walmart Retail Prices at Grand Junction, Colorado, reflecting the average pricing in the US market.
Study result
A serving of a daily service commonly consumed with a serving of berries increased by 93.8% in the intake of anthocyanin in all three diet models instead of a daily service. This major benefit in bioactive compounds was obtained without significant changes in calorie count, fat, protein or cholesterol, suggesting that replacement nutrition was balanced.
In HOS model, total diet fiber increased by 5.1% and soluble fiber 10.1%. Vitamin C increased by 16%, while vitamin E and vitamin K increased by 6.0%and 5.4%respectively. Sugar intake decreased by 8.1%, and total carbohydrates decreased by 3.1%. Protein and fat value remained almost the same. The weekly cost of food increased by $ 7.28, increased by 10.4% compared to the baseline menu. Potassium declined by 3.3%, while other minerals increased by less than 2%.
The HMS model showed similar trends, with a total fiber 4.7% and soluble fiber increased by 5.3%. Vitamin C increased 13.9%, Vitamin E 5.3%and vitamin 4.7%. Sugar intake declined by 8.1%, and carbohydrates showed a slight decrease. The weekly cost of food increased by $ 6.72, increasing by 9.2%. With minimal changes in other minerals, potassium declined by 1.2%.
In the HV model, soluble fiber increased by 10.2%, and total fiber increased by 1%. Vitamin C increased 11.9%, Vitamin E 5.4%and Vitamin 5.1%. Carbohydrate intake decreased by 4.6%, and sugar fell 9.2%. Potassium declined by 3.8%, while other minerals showed minimum changes. The cost of food increased by $ 6.97 per week, an increase of 10.5%.
These results suggest that the inclusion of berries in the USDA diet pattern increases the quality of nutrition without compromising calories or macronutrient balance. The increase in fiber and major vitamins is particularly relevant, given the widespread decrease of these nutrients in the American diet. The cost of weekly grocery increased by about 10%, yet the USDA’s medium-cost food scheme remained within the range ($ 73.90- $ 87.60 per week for adults between the age of 19-50 years in 2024).
The benefits of these nutrients can hold the additional cost correct, especially for homes aimed at improving the quality of the diet through small, durable changes. However, the authors said that because it was a modeling analysis, conclusions cannot reflect real personal food intake correctly.
conclusion
In short, the USDA diet motivated for a significant improvement in nutritious density instead of a service usually eaten with berries in the diet model. Major vitamins including anthocyanin, fiber, and vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamins increased significantly, while the levels of calories and macronutrients remained stable.
These benefits were seen in all three USDA diet patterns. While the cost of food increased by about 10%, they remained comparable to the people mentioned in the USDA’s moderate cost weekly food scheme.
This modeling analysis suggests that the daily fruit can provide nutrition benefits without compromising diet balance or ability, including berries as an alternative. Including Berry subgroups in future federal dietary recommendations can provide a practical strategy to improve public health nutrition.
Author disclosure statement
Kim S. Stot has received grant support from the first US Hybash Blueberry Council. Leslie Wada is employed by the North American Blueberry Council. Christie Crow-White did not confront the interests. The author confirms that these affiliation did not affect the design, data analysis, interpretation or reporting of the study.
