Eat Berries for Sweet Health Benefits

June 13, 2006
by David Feder  
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DAVID CAVAGNARO
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Want a great-tasting way to protect yourself against cancer, strokes, heart and vascular disease, plus the effects of aging? Eat more berries!

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Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and mulberries are positively bursting with vitamins, fiber and compounds like flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.

Blueberries are compact sources of ellagic acid, a particularly powerful antioxidant. In a study by Tufts University, blueberries were shown to help reverse defects in memory, cognition and motor function associated with aging.

The antioxidant quercetin, which is stored in the skins of dark berries, protects against cancers and works best when combined with vitamin C — and berries just happen to be one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin C. Rutin, a flavonoid found in berries, also has shown protective effects against ulcers.

Mulberries are rich in resveratrol, another compound that has cancer-preventing abilities. And like other berries, mulberries have plenty of anthocyanins. Not only is this class of natural compounds protective against cancer and cardiovascular disease, it has even shown antiviral and antibacterial properties. In fact, berries are one of the best sources of anthocyanins, which give fruits and vegetables their red, blue and purple colors. Usually, the darker the berry, the higher the concentration of anthocyanins.

Perhaps the best thing about berries is that they're a satisfying sweet, healthy snack that taste good, and are good for you, too.

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Comments

  • Dianne Shuntich 8/31/2009 11:50:00 AM

    I wanted to ask Mr. Genovese, or anyone else who might know:
    How would you make tea from mulberry leaves? Mr. Genovese mentioned making it with the green leaves. Do you not have to dry them first? If so, do you just leave them out in the sun? Put them in a low oven? For how long at what temp?
    Thanks in advance for any help.

  • Dianne Shuntich 8/31/2009 11:44:01 AM

    Can I reply directly to someone who left a comment and ask them something, or does it have to go on the forum?

  • Gary Genovese 3/16/2009 8:27:50 AM

    I have recently moved to Laos as it got to hard to survive in America. My wife and I have been here 1 year already and we have been enjoying our Organic Mulberries twice a year when they grow on our Mulberry trees. I am sure you have heard by now how great the green leaves of the Mulberry tree is. It taste like mild green tea from Japan and it's twice the amount of calsium than regular green tea and there is no caffeine in this tea too. And it is the only tea in the world that has all 18 Amino Acids in it. It has been proven to help stop type 2 diabetes and helps relieve cholestrol too. It has so many benefits to mention here. We have been drinking Mulberry green tea for 4 years now and I see the difference in my body. We use to import it to USA but now that e live here where it grows it is to expensive to send it there for sale.

  • JUDI Ciccone 6/14/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I try only to eat organic - but organic berries are so very
    expensive. What about the conventional berries - how good are they?
    Lots of pesticides? I know strawberries that are not organic are
    loaded with pesticides.

  • MEIBAO Nee 6/14/2006 12:00:00 AM

    Berries are very good for us, however, we are eating berries out
    of season and flown in from countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
    It is expensive, does not conserve oil (Peak Oil), and buys into
    corporate America trying to look like they care about our health.
    Also, ever notice Cascadian Farm organic frozen berries--how the
    amount keeps shrink? It went from 16 oz to 11.5 oz! Protest. Stop
    buying it or call them on this. Read the labels and notice how we
    are getting less for our dollar. Vote with your dollar. Thank
    you.

  • Milliann Johnson 6/13/2006 12:00:00 AM

    Had the great pleasure of bringing in a blueberry crop a couple
    years ago. We harvested commercial and a U-pick crop. I delighted
    our younger visitors with summer heat relief by giving them berries
    that were whole & frozen. These were not like the wimpy berries
    you see in the grocer, some were the size of quarters. And the
    great thing is you lightly rinse, lay on towel to dry. get large
    baking sheet lay out not touching, place in freezer, depending on
    your freezer usually well frozen in less than an hour. Can save in
    zip lock baggies. For whatever reason these were so much richer,
    sweeter and satisfying. Great Hot day snack.

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