BERRIES AND THEIR BENEFITS

Berries and Their Benefits

BERRY

Berries are fleshy fruits developed from a single ovary and they are very delicious. Besides delicious berries have good health benefits also. Most of the berries are round to semi oblong in shape and are juicy with bright colors like red, blue, green, black etc. It may have sweet or sour taste and some of the common berries include acai berry, black berry, blueberry, gooseberry, grapes, raspberry, strawberry, currant etc. Most of the berries benefits human by providing vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, flavonoids etc and eating these fruits protect human being from cancer. Lutein is another substance present in berries which helps to improve the vision. Berries also help to keep the cardiovascular system in good condition and prevent the age related muscular degeneration, prevents sun damage etc. Almost all the berries helps to improve the immune system and berry fruits benefits diabetic patients and help them to overcome their craving for sugar.  Acai berry is widely used in weight loss programs to reduce the weight. 

Acai berry

Acai berry is a small black purplish fruit and is widely used for making juice and energy drink. The weight loss property of acai berry is widely exploited and acai berry triggers weight loss by improving metabolic rate. Acai berry also helps to break the fat deposits easily and provides energy to the person and is possible due to the antioxidants present in the berries. Acai is also available for cleansing the colon and is available in bottled as well as capsule form. Similarly jams, juices, pancakes etc are also made out of acai berry.

Cranberry

Cranberry is ideal for weight watchers who prefer to have low carb foods. Half a cup of cranberry provides 4 gram carbohydrates and 2 gram fiber. Cranberry is marketed as cranberry sauce, dried cranberry, cranberry concentrate, chocolate coated cranberry, cranberry juice, jam, jelly, muffins, cakes etc. Cranberry helps to keep the urinary tract in good condition and without any infection. Cranberry wine is also very popular.

Blueberries

Blueberries have sweet to tart or tangy taste and are highly nutritious with only low calories. Blueberry has a lot of antioxidants that protect the body from cataract, varicose vein, haemorrhoids, glaucoma, cancer, heart diseases, aging signs etc.  Blueberries are available in raw fresh form readily from the field, frozen form, dried form and are used for making jam, pies, muffins, syrup, juice concentrate, fruit spreads etc.

Blackberry

Blackberry has low sugar and is highly nutritious and half cup of blackberries provide 3.5 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fiber and 31 calories. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, K and manganese. It also contain antioxidants and ellagic acid and is used for making berry pie, jam, puree and many more recipes are made by including blackberries.  Blackberry wine is also widely served.

Strawberry

Strawberry is a very popular berry used for making a variety of recipes. Strawberry is effective for various health ailments. It benefits people who drink herbal tea made out of strawberries more. Strawberries have good astringent, diuretic, anti-arthritis, anti-gout properties and are used as a liver tonic. Strawberry is widely used for making jam, jelly, cake toppings, puree, concentrate, wine. It is also included in salads, ice creams etc.

Similarly raspberry, gojiberry, gooseberry, juniper berry etc are also popular. Ice cold berry drinks are very popular in holiday spots in summer. Berry fragrance oil is used for scenting the decorative berry candles. As berries are low in fat and carbohydrate they are ideal for diet concerned people.