Blackberries are one of the more popular fruits in the United States at least. Most of us have tried them and know how tasty they are… but what do we really know about their health benefits? It is likely we have indulged in them so much merely because they are delicious, completely unaware of the good that they serve us!
You may be wondering what makes the blackberry so healthy anyway. The blackberry plant is a great source of antioxidants. Their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC is incredibly high at 2036 units of antioxidants per 100 grams of blackberries, which is simply amazing. The antioxidants present in ripe blackberries are polyphenols and anthocyanins, which neutralize free radicals within the brain. These free radicals could otherwise cause damage to your health in a multitude of different ways. Research institutes across the world advise reducing your risk for many diseases by regularly taking in antioxidants.
The fact that blackberries are one of many antioxidant fruits is not the only reason to continue to consume the fruit. They also have a high amount of vitamin E in them, which can help fix skin problems like wrinkles and dark spots. Blackberries contain quite a bit of vitamin C too, which will give your immune system a much-needed boost. Even the stem, roots, and leaves of the blackberry plant have many uses. They contain tannic acid, which is able to serve as a natural analgesic against pain. You can dry these parts and make tea from them.
A single cup of blackberries contains far more nutrients than most foods out there. Eating them raw is the most recommend method for consuming them so that the cooking process doesn’t break down any of the nutrients. Better throw some blackberries on that salad for good measure!
For more information on the blackberry, check out these links: