Berry Health Benefits Symposium in Madison Oct. 13-15
Berry researchers from around the globe are set to gather in Madison, Wisconsin Oct. 13-15 for the 2015 Berry Health Benefits Symposium. This international conference, which will be held at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, is dedicated to showcasing the latest scientific research on the links between berries and health. Presentations will cover findings related to a wide variety of health issues, including breast and colon cancer, leukemia, diabetes, gut health, metabolism, brain aging, heart health and more.
“Health-conscious consumers have come to expect that producers, ingredient providers and marketers of berry products deliver high quality and efficacious products. The Berry Health Benefits Symposium provides a forum in which scientists, media and consumers can come together to gain a deeper understanding of the most recent advancements in berry health research,” says Chris Krueger, a UW-Madison researcher in the Department of Animal Sciences.
Put on under the auspices of the National Berry Crops Initiative, the symposium includes research presentations, a half-day workshop for non-scientists titled “The Berry Sessions,” and a tour of Wisconsin’s cranberry growing region.
The following UW-Madison researchers will be involved in the conference:
- Federico Rey, assistant professor of bacteriology, will give a talk about his research on the interactions of berry anthocyanins—the main pigments in berries that give them their red and blue colors—and beneficial gut bacteria.
- Chris Krueger, a researcher in the animal sciences department, will give a presentation on the analytical methods used to determine the authenticity, standardization and efficacy of berries and berry extracts used in dietary supplements and functional foods.
- Jess Reed, professor of animal sciences, will give an overview of the role of berries in modulating the gut microbiota and promoting gut health, and will also chair the symposium session on this topic. His work involves studying berry tannins and gut health.
For more information, visit http://berryhealth.org/.
Media representatives are welcome to attend the symposium for free, but must register to do so. For information about how to register for free, reporters should contact the National Berry Crops Initiative media contact, listed below.
Media contacts:
National Berry Crops Initiative: Cat McKenzie, catmc@peak.org, (541) 456-2264
UW-Madison: Chris Krueger, ckrueger@wisc.edu, (608) 212-1816