Super 8 Berry Blend – Organic Freeze Dried

Super 8 Berry Blend is a flavorful mix of eight different berries, chosen for their rich colors and naturally sweet-tart taste. This vibrant blend brings together the essence of multiple fruits in a convenient powdered form, perfect for mixing into smoothies, shakes, teas, and juices. Its bold flavor and striking color make it a versatile addition to everyday recipes.

Shelf-stable and easy to use, Super 8 Berry Blend can also be stirred into yogurt, oatmeal, or baked goods, or used as a natural flavoring in sauces and desserts. With its fruity aroma and deep berry taste, it’s a simple way to enjoy a variety of berries in one convenient blend.

Super 8 Berry Blend

To understand the benefits of combining all of the nourishing berries in our Super 8 Berry Blend as a freeze-dried powder, it is first essential to discuss the concept of synergy.

The primary principle behind synergy is understanding that the whole is greater than the sum of its simple parts. 

When applying this concept to foods like berries, it is essential to know that the potent compounds in various berries have a broader spectrum and nourishing effect than any individual compound within that mixture.

When eaten as a whole food matrix, no individual compound works alone. Therefore, combining a wide variety of berries will provide more potent nourishment than consuming a standardized version of any individual berry.

Before we get into the primary purpose of consuming a wide array of berries, we must acknowledge that while a mixture of berries is a better choice, each berry has unique attributes.

For example, blueberries are a tremendous source of Anthocyanins (flavonoid water-soluble pigments that give fruits and vegetables their color). They account for about 60% of the total polyphenols in blueberries, yielding approximately 500 mg/100 grams, ranking them at #16 (behind some pretty impressive contenders) for the food’s richest in polyphenols.

Other predominate bioactive components found in blue berries are pterostilbene, resveratrol and the flavonols kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin.

Blueberries’ impressive preliminary and human studies show a broad spectrum of benefits of nourishing the brain and nervous system. 

One of the blueberries’ primary mechanisms of action is their direct effect on improving vascular and cerebral blood flow.

In simple terms, cerebral blood flow measures the blood delivery rate in the arteries to a capillary bed in the brain tissue. While researchers found that up to six cups of blueberries daily improved memory in just 12 weeks, this was determined to be an unrealistic dose for most people to stay consistent with. Therefore, more studies determined that just one cup of blueberries daily for older adults showed some improvement in long-term memory.

A survey of the antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition of blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries concluded that blueberries have exceptionally high levels of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanins. 

A study in neural regeneration research conducted on young and old participants who consumed blueberries daily showed an increase in blood flow to key brain areas and improvements in memory and attention. 

Another paper titled, Antioxidant Properties of Maqui Berry Extract (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) and Its Potential Photoprotective Role on Human Skin Fibroblasts stated, “Maqui is considered to be one of the healthiest fruits because it is an extremely rich source of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and anthocyanins.”

The power of Flavinoids

Many health experts believe a diet focused on high amounts of flavonoids is critical to supporting a healthy aging process because these compounds are known as nature’s biological response modifiers. There are over 8,000 different types of flavonoids found in nature. Based on the research, it does not seem to matter if you acquire them from food or supplements; what counts is the total daily amount you consume. These experts believe we should consume at least 2000 milligrams of flavonoids daily sourced from various foods and supplements.

A randomized controlled trial discussing how flavonoid-rich foods improve microvascular reactivity and inflammatory status in men at risk for cardiovascular disease showed the following:

• The HF F&V diet increased endothelium-dependent microvascular reactivity
• Reduced C-reactive protein and vascular cell adhesion molecule
• HF F&Vs increased plasma NO in the group as a whole.

Therefore, the following was concluded, “These data support recommendations to increase F&V intake to ≥ 6 portions daily, with additional benefit from F&Vs that are rich in flavonoids, particularly in men with an increased risk of CVD.”

While each superfruit possesses unique qualities and compounds for various health purposes, they all fall under (at some level) four general categories of plant compounds.

1) Polyphenols are a term used to describe a general category of compounds found in a broad spectrum of fruits, vegetables, and tea that work as “reducing agents” along with other compounds known as antioxidants to support a healthy inflammation response and the body’s ability to protect and repair damaged tissue caused by oxidative stress. While over 8,000 polyphenols have been identified, some of the most common are flavonoids, flavonols, and anthocyanins. The importance of discussing these various compounds allows you to more clearly understand the wide range and complexity of nourishment you are getting from these powerful foods.

2) Flavonoids are a group of water-soluble polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants thought to provide health benefits through cell signaling (The process when a cell responds to a substance outside the cell through signaling molecules found on the surface of that cell) and antioxidant effects. Secondary metabolites are substances manufactured by plants that make them compete in their environment, exerting a wide range of effects on the plant itself and the surrounding living organisms, including flowing, fruit setting, signal deciduous behavior, and acting as antimicrobials. Over 50,000 secondary metabolites have been discovered, and many modern medicines rely on them for their mechanism of action. There are six major subclasses of flavonoids: Anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavanones, flavones, and isoflavones. These account for around 60% of all polyphenols.

3) Flavonols are polyphenols belonging to the flavonoid family with a ketone group studied for their wide range of biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, modulating inflammation, and vasodilation). They primarily accumulate in the outer tissues(skin and leaves) of fruits and vegetables, are the building blocks of proanthocyanins(compounds attributed to the colors of fruits and vegetables), and are most widespread in the human diet.

4) Anthocyanins are a part of the flavonoid family of polyphenolic compounds. They represent the pigments that exhibit the bright red, purple, and blue colors found in fruits and vegetables. The six most common are Cyanidins, Delphinidins, Malvidins, Peonidins, Petunidins, and Pelargonidins.

Quercetin: A Potent agent found in all berries

While apples and onions are the “foods of choice” when acquiring quercetin, this potent phytochemical has been spoken of as one of the most potent flavonols, and a little bit goes a long way.

Quercetin is being aggressively studied for its ability to support a healthy aging process through various mechanisms of action. In an overview of the biological importance of quercetin, it was stated that “Quercetin, a plant pigment, is a potent antioxidant flavonoid and more specifically a flavonol, found mostly in onions, grapes, berries, cherries, broccoli, and citrus fruits. It is a versatile antioxidant known to possess protective abilities against tissue injury induced by various drug toxicities.”

In one human study, quercetin showed its ability to inhibit inflammation by increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARy), which was shown to antagonize nuclear factor kappa b (NFKB), a protein complex at the top of the inflammation cascade that controls transcription of DNA, cytokine production, and cell proliferation.

In another human study, quercetin was revealed to inhibit glucose uptake through the increased activation of activated protein kinase(AMPK). This enzyme plays a role in cellular energy homeostasis, activating glucose and fatty acid uptake when cell energy is low. The activation of AMPK stimulates Akt (protein kinase B that regulates glucose metabolism) and glucose transporter 4(GLTU4), responsible for glucose uptake in fat and muscle cells.

In a review discussing the therapeutic potential of quercetin as a cardiovascular agent, it was stated, “Quercetin exhibits significant heart-related benefits such as inhibition of LDL oxidation, endothelium-independent vasodilator effects, reduction of adhesion molecules and other inflammatory markers, the protective effect on nitric oxide and endothelial function under conditions of oxidative stress, prevention of neuronal oxidative and inflammatory damage and antiaggregant platelet effects.”

Acerola Cherry: A Superior Whole Food Vitamin C

You may notice a wide array of Vitamin C products as you search online or in the isles of a health store. Most of them will present as an isolated version of this nutrient, with other added compounds (like a buffered version containing ascorbic acid and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium) to make it more tolerable by the digestive system. Other products will present as a mixture of foods that provide a whole-food matrix of compounds so the human body can get the most nourishment from those foods. Acerola is one of the few foods considered to contain the complete “Vitamin C Complex” because it provides high levels of Vitamin C and a full array of supporting compounds. It also includes a tremendous diversity of polyphenolic compounds, providing superior nourishment.

Vitamin C: L Acsorbic Acid

There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about all the various forms presented in Vitamin C supplements (Ascorbic Acid, Buffered, Liposomal, and Ascorbyl palmitate) regarding absorption, plasma levels, and bioavailability. So, let’s get some clarity on this topic.

• All Vitamin C, aka L Ascorbic Acid, derived from a whole food matrix or synthetic sources, are chemically identical with no known differences in biological activity. 
• Buffered(with minerals), liposomal (encased in fat), and ascorbyl palmitate(both fat and water soluble components) provide no extra benefit specifically to the utilization of Vitamin C other than being slightly less acidic in the digestive system. 
• Ascorbyl Palmitate contains water and fat-soluble components, but the digestive system essentially strips away the fat-soluble part to derive the pure ascorbic acid.   

The research on this specific topic shows proof on both ends of the spectrum.

A review titled Synthetic or Food-Derived Vitamin C- Are they equally Bioavailable? It was stated,  “All steady-state comparative bioavailability studies in humans have shown no differences between synthetic and natural vitamin C, regardless of the subject population, study design, or intervention used. Some human pharmacokinetic studies have shown transient and small comparative differences between synthetic and natural vitamin C, although these differences will likely have minimal physiological impact. Study design issues and future research directions are discussed.”

Over the last 50 years, research has taught us that while isolated nutrients and standardized compounds are adequate when targeting specific mechanisms of action, they present significant challenges and pitfalls. Those pitfalls occur because essential components are missing for a balanced and harmonious result.

For example, you can mix isolated ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids, hoping they will provide optimal levels of Vitamin C. Numerous isolated compounds may ultimately produce significant plasma levels of ascorbic acid. Still, they will never give you the same nourishment you get from a whole-food matrix. 

Goji Berries: A Powerful TCM Tonic Food

Goji is traditionally known in TCM to tonify all three treasures (Jing, Shen, Qi), Yin, and Yin blood, brightens the eyes, enters the liver, lung, and kidney meridians, and has a sweet flavor and a neutral, balancing temperature. The following conclusion was made in a review discussing Goji berries as a potential natural medicine and their mechanisms of action. Not only did goji berry’s high antioxidant content show great potential for preventing DNA, lipid, and protein damage, but it was also stated that there was better protection through the synergistic effects of the complex mixture of phytochemicals versus a single phytochemical.

Powered vs. Fresh: Are There Benefits of Consuming a Berry Mix Powder?

The idea that we can’t replace fresh food with a powder to nourish our body is untrue. There are many significant advantages to using powders, especially with berries. While there are many natural ways to dry foods and preserve their nutritional qualities, including low temperature, shade, air, sun, and freeze-drying, the quality of the raw materials predominantly determines the final product. Ultimately, preserving the incredibly nourishing qualities found in berries is best obtained through freeze-drying.

There are three primary advantages to using a freeze-drying method:

1. Freeze-drying creates the closest end product when presenting a whole food complex.
2. Freeze drying a food presents closest to the smell, taste, and texture of the fresh version of a food.
3. Freeze-dried foods allow you to customize your needs when creating a product. For example, freeze-dried berries can be left whole, chopped, or milled into a powder, all of which will still offer the nutritional value that comes from the fresh version.

Because berries perish quicker than most foods, this method preserves their structure and integrity and significantly extends their shelf life. 

The shelf life of any food or product is directly linked to its moisture content. A freeze-dried product has an average of only 3% or less moisture content.

So, freeze drying allows for greater versatility of the end product due to more accessible storage options and blending capability and supports the natural flavor profile of the fresh food version.

Z Natural Foods hand-picks specific ingredients for our customers based on three concepts to provide the best quality product possible to support optimal well-being. 

• Versatility
• History of safe and effective usage
• Strong evidence of positive research outcomes in humans

Constituents in Super 8 Berry Blend include:

• Polyphenolic Anthocyanins: resveratrol, cyanidin-3-galactoside, ferulic acid, delphinidin, petunidin
• Proanthocyanidin Tannins: epicatechin, protocatechuic acid, and ellagic acid
• Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E, K
• Nutrients: Biotin, Boron, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Folic Acid, Inositol, Iron, Iodine, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Pantothenic Acid, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, Zinc
• Essential Amino Acids: Lysine, Leucine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Methionine, Valine, Cystine
• Non-Essential Amino Acids: Histidine, Glycine, Arginine, Alanine, Serine, Tyrosine, Aspartate, Glutamate, Proline, Hydroxyproline
• Protein
• Dietary fiber

This product is 100% natural and minimally processed. Taste, smell, texture, and color may vary from batch to batch.

Suggested Use: Add to your favorite smoothie, yogurt, and other treats, or mix 2 Tbsp (16 g) with 6-8 oz of water.

Mixing suggestion: To increase flavor and nutritional profile, combined with our organic maqui and blueberry powders.

Ingredients: Goji Berry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried, Acai Berry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried, Maqui Berry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried, Blueberry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried, Blackberry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried, Strawberry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried, Red Raspberry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried, Acerola Cherry Powder – Organic Freeze Dried.

Origin: Product of USA. Formulated, Blended, and Packaged with care in Florida, USA.

Certifications: Certified USDA Organic