Chapter 11: The Role of Berries and Their Bioactive Compounds on Obesity-induced Inflammation

Overweight and obesity are metabolic disorders affecting more than 40% of middle-aged adults in the world. Obesity represents the major risk factor for chronic inflammation and a number of diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome. In addition, obesity is associated with numerous deaths worldwide for heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Diet represents one of the main modifiable factors for the onset and progression of obesity and related diseases. In the last decade, particular attention has been paid to the study of the potential anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory activity of berries. Berries are rich in numerous phytochemicals, in particular polyphenols, the bioactivity in vitro and in vivo of which has been largely investigated. This chapter provides a review of the last 20 years of human intervention studies performed on the relationship between the intake of berries and the capacity to counteract obesity-induced inflammation. The data available indicate that berries may help in mitigating the inflammatory state in overweight/obese subjects without having a direct effect on obesity; however, the evidence is still limited in particular when the contribution of single berries as part of the overall diet of individuals is considered. Thus, the inclusion of berries in the diet may contribute to the health benefits deriving from a healthy dietary pattern.