Strawberries with a higher content of antioxidants and vitamin C, watermelons with L-citrulline that help to reduce muscle soreness after intensively doing sports, sunflowers with high oleic and vitamin E or peppers with antioxidants are some of the examples of the great research work that is being done towards developing foods that provide the nutrients needed for a balanced diet, reported agriculturasostenible.org.
In recent years, many food industry companies are devoting much of their efforts to
study and develop new plant varieties, not only to increase production, but also doing so efficiently and sustainably.
In fact, helping improve the sustainability and efficiency of the agricultural sector and stand as a source of technology-based solutions are the aims of the
Technology Platform for Sustainable Agriculture (SEF). It is a project supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness that brings together associations, companies and research centers to implement strategies to improve productivity in this sector.
Several of the companies that make up the National Association of Plant Breeders (Anove), integrated in the PTAS, investigate and develop new varieties in order to increase their nutritional properties.
In this regard, they have succeeded in developing a variety of watermelon that helps reduce muscle soreness after 24 hours of intense sports. This is due to the high contribution of L-citrulline, an amino acid capable of relaxing the muscle in case of fatigue, and whose absorption by the intestinal cells is enhanced through the watermelon rather than by drugs.
Moreover, this variety of watermelon has demonstrated beneficial effects in diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
This commitment to enhance the R & D has also led to a variety of strawberry with high levels of antioxidants, capable of providing 27% of the vegetable oxidizing needed in a diet and 60% of the daily Vitamin C required, in a single serving. To this it must be added the low carbohydrate and sodium levels, and rich potassium, which makes this type of strawberry an ally for healthy diets aimed at controlling hypertension.
Also noteworthy was the existence of peppers that have high levels of vitamins A and C and natural antioxidants, rich corn in carbohydrate, starch and amino acids, or broccoli with high glucosinolate level associated with cancer risk reduction.