Berries

Posted by : Health

With its juicy, tender and tasty fruits, berries are an excellent source of natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, wild strawberries and currants grow as wild fruits. Also, they are grown as domesticated species in gardens.

Berries are rich in plant phenols, particularly flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant properties. These are the pigments which originate from the color of fruits and their characteristic taste. These substances play an important role in the immune system and help the plants ripen in the sun, and not “burn”.
Certainly, berries have a positive effect on our health. In combination with antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and E and provitamin A) , flavonoids bind free radicals and thereby protect the integrity of cells. It is therefore advised to consume berries in order to strengthen the immune system, in cases of anemia and fatigue, to relieve various symptoms of allergies. Furthermore, people who are prone to frequent infections should eat berries. Berries reduces the risk of emergence of some cancers, especially stomach, esophagus, colon and lung. Most of these flavonoids, including quercetin, can be found in currant, blueberries and red grapes.

People with overweight can also include berries in their diet, which is low in calories but rich in biologically valuable substances, important for the regulation of metabolism. Berries are best eaten just as they are found in nature-fresh and without added sugar.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

It contains flavonoids anthocyanins from which originates the blue color of berries. The fruits are rich in vitamin C, contain tannins, malic and citric acid. Leafs contain arbutin which helps wound healing. In therapeutic purposes, bilberries are used fresh and dried, as juice and extract with 25% flavonoids, and as dried leafs for tea. Biologically active substances of this plant have a beneficial effect on poor circulation and varicose veins. Bilberry extract increases elasticity and strength of capillaries and improves microcirculation.

Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Wild strawberry is a favorite fruit of shepherds, mountaineers, hikers and other nature lovers. In therapeutic purposes, the fruit, leaf and root are used. Strawberry is rich in vitamin C, but also some of the B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), and has something of folic acid and vitamin E. Contains minerals, such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese, while the leaves are rich in tannins. The roots and leaves are used for gargling, in cases of diarrhea, inflammation of the stomach lining, as well as a mild diuretic in tea blends. Fresh strawberries stimulates the liver.

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Mature fruits contain citric and malic acid, tannin, pectin and minerals: potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. In medicinal purposes the fruits and leaves that contain vitamins A and C are used. Tea made from raspberry leaves is used in conjunction with a blackberry and strawberry leaves as astringent in watery stools, inflammation of the lining of the intestine, cleansing the blood and stop bleeding. Raspberry syrup or pure undiluted juice is advisable for fever, especially caused by infectious diseases, and is especially popular with children.

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)

Medicinal plant parts are the fruits, leaves and roots. Since the fruit has the most minerals iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, and vitamins than vitamin C and carotene (provitamin A). Mature fruits are used in folk medicine as a good tool for strengthening the stomach, and because it has a soothing effect, it is advisable for those who suffer from insomnia. Blackberry leaf tea because of the richness of tannins used in diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, skin rashes and bleeding in diseases of the digestive organs.

Black currant (Ribes nigrum)

Mature fruits contain biologically valuable substances, especially organic acids, minerals and vitamins. Black currant is the richest in vitamin C, and there is about 200 – 230 mg per 100 g of fruit, which is almost twice as much than in lemon or orange. The fruit contains much vitamin A and some B vitamins (B1, B3, B6). It has a lot of minerals: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and copper. The fruits of blackcurrant are recommended in cases of exhaustion and anemia, also to strengthen the natural resistance of the organism, to stimulate appetite as well as to relieve stomach and intestinal problems. The leaves contain organic acids tannins and essential oil, which acts favorably on the kidneys and the occurrence of rheumatic diseases and gout.