Berries are a more familiar in foods such as cakes, jams, etc, but when was the last time you ate a handful of fresh blueberries, raspberries or fresh cranberries? The reason I ask this question is because berries have medicinal qualities essential for our health, but in practice, only few of us are aware of this natural wonder and how to use it. Here I’ll show you what are the nutrients in berries and how they can contribute to your health.
What gives berries all their healthy features is their color, or rather pigments, the natural dyes that give fruits their various colors. These pigments belong to the broader group called phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals are known for four major benefits:
1. Anti-aging components that slow the aging process in the body.
2. They are essential in preventing heart disease.
3. They help prevent and fight cancer.
4. Berries are great for body cleansing. They help the lymphatic system, bowels and kidneys to get rid of various kinds of harmful toxins. Berries are rich in healthy natural nutrients and fiber and are full of antioxidants. This combines with organic acids make them ideal also for liver cleansing and digestive health. If you are interested in detoxifying your body, you can find more useful information in my e-book The Detox Guide. This guide will teach you how to use detox to cleanse and energize your body naturally and safely.
Although it may not be easy to get fresh berries, you’ll be happy to know that even drying or freezing them still offers many health benefits.
What are the nutrients that make berries so healthy?
The antioxidative activity is the essential component in berries and this is where the intrinsic value of these fruits lies. Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals are atoms and molecules in the body, which in case of excess can lead to accelerated aging of body cells, attack proteins, weaken brain cells and cell membrane and change the DNA. Scientists believe that many diseases are related to oxidative processes, including heart disease and cancer.
What are the components found in abundance in berries?
Anthocyanins – these natural pigments give different plants their red color and filter for them solar radiation. This is the most powerful antioxidant whose name is linked in various studies to lower the risk of certain types of cancer, improve urinary tract health, improve memory function and contributing to healthy aging of cells.
Catechins – these flavonoid is a plant component that gives color ranging from yellow through red to blue, to attract pollinators and protect plants from bacteria and fungi. Various studies have found that it has the ability to treat allergies, infections and serve as an antioxidant.
Dietary fiber – these are polysaccharides that in their digestive processes in the body release substances that bind to bad cholesterol and excess glucose, and remove them from the body. Therefore they are strongly recommended against both heart and blood vessels disease, as well as diabetics. Also dietary fiber is essential to the digestive system and helps in weight loss because it swells in the stomach, making you feel full for longer.
Ellagic acid – a component that fights carcinogens. In addition, ellagic acid has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Scientists estimate that ellagic acid has an important role in preventing and fighting cancer and even existing tumors.
Gallic acid – a natural acid that also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and is found to be a powerful antioxidant. Research revealed that gallic acid is toxic for cancer cells but does not harm healthy cells. Therefore it is a common staple in the pharmaceutical industry and is used to treat internal hemorrhaging, diabetes and psoriasis. Gallic acid was found in a study to regulate the growth and the elimination of prostate cancer cells.
Quercetin – this plant flavonoid or natural pigment fights carcinogens. Various studies show that it is a wonder element that can help in a variety of health conditions: it is anti-viral, helps asthma, anti-cancer, anti-eczema, anti-inflammatory and helps metabolic syndrome.
Rutin – a natural substance with antioxidant properties. It prevents iron to bind to certain molecules which would create a chemical reaction that releases very strong free radicals. It even strengthens the capillaries and thus has a positive influence on hemophilia, varicose veins, heart disease and blood vessels disease. It also prevents cell proliferation associated with tumor development.
Salicylic acid – a hormone considered one of the most important and useful for the plants as well as for people. This material is found in aspirin and has very strong analgesic properties already known for 2500 years. Salicylic acid also helps fight atherosclerosis, and it exists in many medicines and drugs in the medical industry.
Vitamin C – one of the most known vitamins that has plenty of health benefits, including strengthening the teeth, maintaining health of capillaries, building bones and tissues, strengthening the immune system, anti-inflammatory and helps prevent the development of cancer due to being a strong antioxidant. You can read here more about these 9 amazing antioxidants for great health in which vitamin C is one of them.
Apart from all these, each berry has its own uniqueness which you can read in my e-book The Healing Berry Guide where you can find more information about the healing powers of berries and is a must if you want to become healthier from the inside out and get healthy and easy berry recipes that are sure to boost your health.
So if so far you didn’t develop the habit of consuming berries of all kinds and types, then this is the time to start. Their health benefits are just something that we should not ignore.
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