A method for deriving compositions having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from berries is provided. The method results in a berry extract compositions having stable anthocyanin content. In one aspect, the method comprises exposing a berry to a solvent composition having a pH of from about 1 to about 4.5, and recovering a berry extract having a stabilized anthocyanin content. The berry may be a blackberry. A cryoprotectant may be added, to further stabilize the anthocyanin content. Compositions comprising the berry extract of the present invention, formulated for oral and/or topical administration, are provided also, including nutritional supplements, capsules, enteric-coated capsules, film-coated capsules, tablets, enteric-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, chewing gums, lotions, creams, mucoadhesive gels, vanishing lotions, vanishing creams, and the like. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating inflammation, oxidative damage, or cancer in a mammal.