Fruits & Seeds

Fruits and seeds: plant supplements from berries, pits and seeds

Fruits and seeds are the parts of a plant in which nutrients and plant compounds are stored for the next generation. As a result, they are rich in substances such as polyphenols, fatty acids and fibre. You may know some of these fruits from the kitchen, such as cranberries, pomegranates and pumpkin seeds. Others, such as saw palmetto berries, griffonia seeds and the three fruits of triphala, are used mainly as supplements.

Our range includes both single-fruit and seed supplements as well as extracts standardised to a fixed level of a characteristic plant compound, such as proanthocyanidins in cranberry or OPC in grape seed extract.

Which fruits and seeds are in this collection?

The collection includes cranberry, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), grape seed extract with OPC, psyllium (Plantago ovata), fenugreek, triphala, acerola, pomegranate, bergamot, griffonia simplicifolia, tribulus terrestris, monk's pepper, noni, jujube, African mango, cayenne pepper and black raspberry. You will also find oils from seeds such as pumpkin seed oil, evening primrose oil and black cumin oil, as well as sunflower or soy lecithin.

Extract, powder or oil

Fruits and seeds are processed in different ways. Powder is made by grinding dried fruit or seeds, such as acerola powder or fenugreek seeds. Extracts concentrate specific plant compounds, such as OPC from grape seeds or ellagic acid from pomegranate. Fat-rich seeds and berries, such as pumpkin seeds, evening primrose seeds and saw palmetto berries, are often pressed or extracted to produce an oil that is encapsulated in softgels.

Standardisation: PAC, OPC and polyphenols

Many fruit extracts are standardised to a fixed level. Cranberry extract is often expressed as a percentage of proanthocyanidins (PAC), for example 6%. Grape seed extract states the level of OPC or PCO. Bergamot extract is standardised to polyphenols, pomegranate extract to ellagic acid and saw palmetto extract to fatty acids and sterols. A higher percentage does not necessarily mean a better product; always compare the amount of the plant compound per daily dose.

Psyllium and other fibres

Psyllium is the seed husk of Plantago ovata. The fibre can bind a lot of water and form a gel. You can use psyllium as a loose powder mixed with water, yoghurt or a smoothie, or as capsules. When taking psyllium and other fibre supplements, always drink plenty of water and preferably start with a lower dose, gradually increasing it.

Triphala: three fruits in one formula

Triphala is a classic Ayurvedic combination of three dried fruits: amalaki (Emblica officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) and haritaki (Terminalia chebula). In this collection, you will find triphala as capsules and tablets from Swanson, Himalaya and Vit4ever, including as a 10:1 organic extract. When comparing, check whether the product contains ground fruit or a concentrated extract.

Capsules, softgels, powder or gummies

Capsules and tablets provide a fixed dose and are flavourless. Softgels are used for oils such as pumpkin seed oil, evening primrose oil and saw palmetto extract. You can flexibly dose and mix powders such as acerola, psyllium or a combination of D-mannose and cranberry with water or a drink. Apple cider vinegar is available as tablets, capsules and gummies.

What to look for when choosing

Check the Latin plant name, the part of the fruit or seed used and the form of the product. For extracts, look at the extraction ratio or standardised level, and always compare per daily dose. For red yeast rice, there are legal limits in the EU on the amount of monacolin per daily dose; therefore, always follow the recommended dosage on the packaging.

Use and safety

A dietary supplement is not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Herbal and plant supplements are not intended for pregnant or breastfeeding women unless stated otherwise. If you take medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist first.