Healthy plant extracts may give Irish fruit juices a scientific edge

SCIENTISTS and industry experts are working on fruit juices incorporating healthy plant extracts which could give the beverage industry an edge in international markets.

Food scientists at UCD, TCD, DIT and Teagasc have enjoyed positive results from their trials on combining extracts from organically grown plants, such as nettles, feverfew and chamomile flowers with fruit juices.

One of the target results is to develop beverages which will have beneficial effects for skeletal joint health, and which could perhaps be marketed as novel anti-ageing and sports-recovery drinks.