Are Berries Healthy? Learn Other Facts About The So-Called Wonder Fruits
From strawberries to acai, berries are quite the rage these days. Some even call them superfoods because of all the benefits you can get from consuming them! But how much do you know about them though?
To acquaint you better with these delicious fruits, here are four facts about berries to remember:
The berries you know may not be berries exactly
Just because they have the word “berry” attached to their name does not mean they are already one. In botany, a berry is a fruit that grows from a plant that has only a single ovary.
With this strict definition, most of the berries do not make the cut. Instead, these simple fruits are better known as bananas, grapes, and tomatoes.
Raspberries are also not berries but are aggregate fruits since they come from plants with a pair of ovaries. A single aggregate fruit is a cluster of tiny other fruits.
Why are they then called berries? According to history, “berry” used to mean “grapes.” Since the berries that people know grow in batches like grapes, they acquired the term.
Antioxidants are innate in these fruits
Berries like acai contain some of the highest levels and most potent antioxidants in the world, and these are also innate qualities.
As an example, anthocyanin is the one that provides these fruits with their deep, vibrant colours. Studies also showed they are definitely healthy for consumption. According to a 2017 research, these antioxidants:
- Have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties
- Fight free radicals that destroy cells and tissues
- Improve eyesight
- Enhance brain health
- Protect against non-contagious diseases
Many of these berries are excellent for people with diabetes
Those who suffer or are prone to diabetes need to control their sugar intake. It includes limiting the kinds of fruits they can eat.
Many of the berries, meanwhile, are ideal fruits for these individuals. The likes of blackberries and strawberries, for example, have a low glycemic index.
The glycemic index measures how sugary foods affect your glucose. High-glycemic ones, such as bread, can increase your blood sugar fast, and that can be dangerous for people with diabetes.
Anything with a glycemic index of 55 is considered low. Many of the berries score no more than 50.
Health Experts Want You to Eat Berries Often
A Harvard study recommends that you should eat blueberries and strawberries at least thrice a week as these fruits can help promote heart health.
The diet of the blue zones (countries with the oldest healthiest people) also includes berries in their meal plan. You need to consume at least a half cup of it daily.
Some types of research also advise consuming acai berries, which may reduce the risk of diabetes and high cholesterol.
Berries, though, might be hard to come by at certain times. An excellent alternative is to get their powder version. As long as they are high quality (with no additives and colouring), they can be just as healthy as the fresh ones.
Berries are some of the healthiest foods for many reasons. They are rich in antioxidants, and they do not spike up your glucose levels. They are versatile and delicious, making them more inviting to eat.
For all these reasons, it’s high time you fill your fridge with these fruits. If you don’t know where to start, you can always try buying Acai powder from Tropeaka. They provide a range of different powders of various flavours for you to select from. This way, you can enjoy a smoothie, juice, or healthy berry dessert anytime.
