Abstract
Berries have become inevitable part of the diet of conscious men. Even though berries are not the richest source of zinc, there are agricultural practices that increase zinc content in surface soils. Being markedly involved in the human physiology and bio-chemistry, zinc is also a common component of plant metabolic pathways. A zinc defficiency occurs in plants mostly in calcareous and alkaline soils, affecting young leaves first. The toxicity and intolerence of zinc, which occur in the soils with prolonged use of fertilizers containing zinc among other elements, are greater problems than zinc deficiency. Zinc toxicity is often associated with the deficiency of magnesium, iron or manganese. In humans, zinc deficiency leads to acrodermatitis enteropathica, growth retardation, hypogonadism, depressed mental function, impaired cognitive functions and immune disorders, affecting males and females in the developing world. Serum zinc was correlated with the severity of depression and low serum zinc levels were found in depressed patients, suggesting that serum zinc could be the marker of depression. Diverse neurodegenerative processes, as Alzheimer's disease, may change the cellular zinc level, raising it to the level where zinc contributes to the progression of the disease. Zinc plays a pivotal role in few signal transduction and gene expression pathways, including that of cytokine genes. Zinc also holds a key position for multiple functions of cell metabolism, retinal development and specific retinal functions. Zinc in therapeutic dosages was effective in decreasing the incidence of infections. Zinc lozenges reduced the duration and severity of the common cold.
Highlights
Berries have become inevitable part of the diet of conscious men
It was believed that zinc deficiency in humans had never occurred because the food analysis showed sufficient amounts of zinc in human diets [16]
It was observed that chronic fatigue syndrome patients, who usually exhibit depressive symptoms, have lower zinc serum levels, which lead to increased oxidative stress, impairment of the immune system and increased inflammatory signs
Summary
Berries have become an inevitable part of everyday meals of all diet-conscious men These fruits are rich in phytonutrients like polyphenols (flavonoids, anthocyanins), vitamins (vitamin C, B, A and K) and minerals (Ca, Mg, Zn), which give them their unique and pleasant taste. The variables responsible for the main difference between Rubus and Ribes genus, are phosphate, potassium and magnesium, while the results for zinc and calcium suggest that the contents of these metals are not linked to genetic origin The author obtained this data for the fruit cultivated in the same field and under the same conditions, and concluded that the principal factor that determines the content of metals and phenolics in the berries, is genome. These data implied that berries could be differentiated on the basis of their metal, anthocyanins and polyphenols content [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
