A new fruit variety called red berry grapes, marketed under the Boombites brand, has been introduced in UK supermarkets. The grapes resemble table grapes in appearance but contain a red pulp similar to berries or cherries.
The product is available exclusively at M&S and Ocado for £3 (US$3.80) per punnet. Researchers report that the grapes have antioxidant levels comparable to blueberries and contain three times more resveratrol.
Red berry grapes were developed by crossing seedless table grapes with older red-fleshed wine grape varieties. Thousands of combinations were tested to obtain a variety that combined the size and sweetness of table grapes with the red flesh characteristic of wine grapes.
Research has shown that the new grapes are rich in anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol responsible for the dark colour found in fruits such as goji and cranberries. These compounds are associated with mechanisms such as reduced inflammation, cell protection, and effects on gut health.
Public Health Nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire, a member of the red berry grape Advisory Board, said: "Dark fruits have soared in popularity over recent years as people become familiar with their high antioxidant content. The vibrant colour of the red berry grapes is down to high concentrations of anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that's been linked to a wide range of health and wellness benefits."
The variety also contains resveratrol, a phenol commonly found in grape skins, blueberries, raspberries, and peanuts. Studies by the University of Murcia confirmed that the Boombites contain three times more resveratrol than blueberries.
According to the Advisory Board, emerging research suggests the new grapes may affect glucose uptake. Trials carried out at the AINIA technology centre in Valencia indicated that, despite having comparable fructose content to other grapes, the absorption of glucose was slower. Researchers linked this effect to the high levels of polyphenols and fibre.
Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine, also a member of the Advisory Board, said: "In simple terms, this means that while new red berry grapes are sweet to the taste, the combination of phenols they contain alters the way these sugars are transported and absorbed in the gut. This has major implications for weight control, insulin response, and dietary advice around fruit consumption, because we know that many consumers restrict intakes of these fruits rich in antioxidants because of concerns about the amount of sugar in fruit."
Source: Mirror