Organic Strawberry Extract Powder
Also known as: Organic Strawberry Extract Powder, Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder, Strawberry Polyphenol Extract, Fragaria × ananassa extract
Overview
Organic Strawberry Extract Powder is a concentrated dietary supplement derived from organically grown *Fragaria × ananassa* (garden strawberry). It is typically produced through freeze-drying or extraction methods to preserve its rich content of bioactive compounds, primarily polyphenols such as anthocyanins (e.g., pelargonidin-3-glucoside), flavonoids, and ellagic acid. This extract is primarily utilized for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering support for cardiovascular health, improvement of lipid profiles, and potential protection against oxidative stress in skin cells. While research is ongoing, it also shows promise for cognitive benefits. The extract's efficacy stems from its high concentration of these phenolic compounds, which interact with various biological pathways to exert their beneficial effects. The current body of evidence, including several randomized controlled trials and mechanistic studies, supports its role as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, though more large-scale meta-analyses are needed to fully establish its comprehensive benefits.
Benefits
Organic Strawberry Extract Powder offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily due to its rich polyphenol content. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, significantly protecting human dermal fibroblasts from oxidative stress, improving cell viability and recovery in in vitro studies. This suggests a role in cellular protection against damage. In human trials, supplementation with freeze-dried strawberry powder (50 g/day for 4 weeks) in women with metabolic syndrome showed significant reductions in oxidative stress markers like MDA and HNE, and a trend towards decreased oxidized LDL, indicating improved lipid profiles and reduced oxidative burden. Furthermore, in obese subjects, dietary strawberry powder reduced blood lipids and inflammatory markers in a crossover randomized controlled trial. While direct evidence for cognitive benefits from strawberry extract powder is limited, systematic reviews on berry extracts generally suggest potential cognitive improvements. These benefits are most pronounced in populations experiencing oxidative stress, such as individuals with metabolic syndrome, obese subjects, and potentially aging populations. The effects on oxidative stress biomarkers and lipid profiles typically manifest within 4 weeks of consistent supplementation.
How it works
Organic Strawberry Extract Powder exerts its effects primarily through its rich polyphenol content, including anthocyanins and ellagic acid. These compounds act as potent antioxidants by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby reducing oxidative stress and preventing cellular damage. They also modulate lipid peroxidation pathways, contributing to improved lipid profiles. The anti-inflammatory effects are mediated through the interaction of these phenolic compounds with various inflammatory cytokines and pathways. The extract's components are absorbed and metabolized, with metabolites like urolithins (from ellagic acid) detected in plasma, indicating their bioavailability. These bioactive compounds interact with the cardiovascular system by influencing lipid metabolism, protect skin cells from oxidative damage, and may offer neuroprotection, potentially contributing to cognitive function.
Side effects
Organic Strawberry Extract Powder is generally considered safe, with no significant adverse effects reported in clinical studies at doses up to 50 g of freeze-dried powder daily for periods up to 4 weeks. Common, uncommon, or rare side effects have not been documented in controlled trials. There are no well-documented drug interactions; however, due to the general polyphenol content, caution is sometimes advised with anticoagulants, though no direct evidence supports this interaction for strawberry extract. No specific contraindications have been established. For special populations, data are limited for pregnant or lactating women, and therefore, use in these groups should be approached with caution. Studies in metabolic syndrome and obese populations have not reported adverse effects, suggesting good tolerability within these groups. Overall, the safety profile appears favorable for short-term use at studied dosages.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for Organic Strawberry Extract Powder, based on human randomized controlled trials, is approximately 50 g/day of freeze-dried strawberry powder. This dosage, which contains around 450 mg of total polyphenols, has been shown to be effective in improving lipid profiles and reducing oxidative stress markers. While an optimal dosage range is considered to be around 50 g/day of freeze-dried powder, equivalent doses in extract form would depend on the specific polyphenol concentration of the extract. A maximum safe dose has not been clearly established, but 50 g/day has been well tolerated in studies lasting up to 4 weeks. Daily intake is recommended, and the timing relative to meals has not been specified as a critical factor. The powder can be mixed into beverages or foods. For consistent results, using an extract powder standardized for its polyphenol content is preferred. The bioavailability of polyphenols is influenced by gut microbiota, with metabolites like ellagic acid derivatives being detectable post-consumption. No specific cofactors are required for its efficacy, though general nutrient adequacy supports polyphenol metabolism.
FAQs
Is organic strawberry extract powder effective as an antioxidant supplement?
Yes, both in vitro and human studies demonstrate significant antioxidant effects, showing protection against oxidative stress and improved cell viability.
Can it improve cholesterol or lipid profiles?
Evidence suggests moderate improvements in oxidative stress markers and trends toward improved lipid profiles in individuals with metabolic syndrome and obesity.
Are there cognitive benefits?
Direct evidence for cognitive benefits from strawberry extract powder is limited, but systematic reviews on berry supplements generally indicate potential cognitive improvements.
Is it safe for long-term use?
Short-term studies (up to 4 weeks) show good safety and tolerability; however, long-term safety data are currently limited.
How quickly do benefits appear?
Cellular antioxidant effects can appear within days, while improvements in lipid and oxidative stress biomarkers are typically observed after 4 weeks of consistent supplementation.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6270910/ – This in vitro study demonstrated that strawberry extract significantly improved the viability and recovery of human dermal fibroblasts after oxidative damage, indicating its potent antioxidant and protective effects at a cellular level.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2761419/ – This uncontrolled feeding study in women with metabolic syndrome showed that 4 weeks of freeze-dried strawberry powder supplementation significantly decreased oxidative stress markers (MDA, HNE) and showed a trend towards lower oxidized LDL, suggesting benefits for oxidative stress and lipid profiles.
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/effects-of-dietary-strawberry-powder-on-blood-lipids-and-inflammatory-markers-in-obese-human-subjects/87AEA3EC4C89FB985BC4F9484CA18EE9 – This randomized crossover RCT in obese subjects found that dietary strawberry powder reduced blood lipids and inflammatory markers compared to a control, highlighting its potential role in improving cardiometabolic health.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01142 – This systematic review update focused on berry biomarkers, confirming the bioavailability of strawberry polyphenols and their metabolites in healthy adults, which is crucial for understanding their systemic effects.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07302-4 – This systematic review on berry supplements indicated that berry extracts can improve cognitive function in older adults, providing indirect evidence for the potential cognitive benefits of strawberry powder, though direct studies are limited.