UK supermarkets launch brand new fruit with tonnes of antioxidants

A unique new fruit has hit the shelves of UK supermarkets. The distinctive red berry grapes, dubbed Boombites, are being hailed as the latest superfruit. They may look like your average grape, but once bitten into, they reveal a deep, juicy red pulp akin to that of a berry or cherry.

This exciting new fruit is available exclusively at M&S and Ocado, retailing at £3 per punnet. It boasts antioxidant levels on par with blueberries and triple the resveratrol content. The Boombites are packed with anthocyanins – the same polyphenols that give superfood status to berries such as goji and cranberries.

These are associated with potential health-boosting mechanisms, including reduced inflammation, protection against cell damage, and promoting good gut health.

Preliminary research suggests that these red berry grapes could help regulate blood sugar levels, offering slower glucose uptake despite their natural sweetness. This could be a game-changer for fruit enthusiasts looking to maintain their health without sacrificing flavour.

Red berry grapes are poised to become an incredibly versatile new superfruit. Just like table grapes, they make for a tasty, healthy snack. Their high antioxidant content means they’re also great for pre- or post-workout or just the perfect way to start your morning.

Crimson berry grapes are a natural hybrid between some of the world’s finest table grapes, which traditionally all have white flesh on the inside, and ancient grape varieties that have red flesh fruit and were traditionally only used for wine production. To develop the new red berry grapes, thousands of different combinations of small and soft, red-fleshed wine grapes with large, sweet, and crunchy seedless table grapes were required.

Superfruit benefits

Anthocyanins are polyphenols, naturally occurring plant compounds. They are linked with health-boosting mechanisms including improvements in cholesterol levels, vascular function and the gut microbiome.

Public Health Nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire, PhD, a member of a new research and education information group called the red berry grape Advisory Board, had this to say: “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.”

Boombites also contain resveratrol, another naturally occurring polyphenol found in various plants, most notably in the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and peanuts. Resveratrol is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol, produced by plants as a defence mechanism against pathogens or injury.

Resveratrol is renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities and has been linked with the “French paradox”. This refers to the finding that, despite consuming a diet high in saturated fats, France experiences lower heart disease rates than many similar nations.

Resveratrol is believed to contribute to numerous health and wellness advantages. Scientists at the University of Murcia examined Boombites and discovered they contained three times more resveratrol than blueberries and equivalent antioxidant levels.

Perfect balance

Fresh research confirms that the innovative red berry grapes not only provide significantly higher concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols than conventional grape types, but also that their natural sugars are processed more gradually. And it’s the effect on blood glucose levels that has sparked additional enthusiasm regarding their superfruit status.

Studies from the technology centre AINIA in Valencia, Spain, indicate that despite containing similar quantities of fructose, the novel red berry grape varieties demonstrated considerably lower glucose absorption than standard types. This is due to the red berry grape being abundant in polyphenols and fibre, and collectively, this distinctive nutritional composition appears to play a part in reducing glucose uptake compared to other fruits.

Dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine, who sits on the red berry grape Advisory Board, explained: “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.”

Research facts

Population studies reveal that a diet abundant in polyphenols could potentially help to slash the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 46%.

This is powered by multiple mechanisms, including decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhancements in blood cholesterol, clotting, and endothelial function, which is the term used to describe the integrity and elasticity of blood vessels.

An observational study involving 3,420 older adults at high risk of  cardiovascular disease – which also placed them in the danger zone for diabetes – demonstrated a 28% reduction in new-onset diabetes amongst those with the highest intakes of polyphenols.

Additional research studies have demonstrated that polyphenols moderate insulin resistance via several mechanisms and also work synergistically with diabetes medicines to boost their efficacy. Dr Emma Derbyshire summarised: “The red berry grape breaks the rules. Not only is it packed with potential health benefits, but it’s unique in its appearance and offers a juicy, hydrating, rewarding taste. You’ll have to bite it to believe it!”