Thursday, March 15, 2012

Blackberry Fruit Facts and Health Benefits

Common Names :  Allegheny Blackberry, American Blackberry, Bly, Bramble, Bramble-Kite, Brambleberry, Brameberry, Brummel
Scientific Name  :  Rubus allegheniensis
Blackberry is a fruit of one of the few species in the genus Rubus of the Rosaceae family.
Cultivation occurs in the state of Oregon is located in the United States. Recorded in 1995 and 2006: 6180 acres (25 km2) to 6900 acres (28 km2) blackberries, producing 42.6 to 41,500,000 pounds, making Oregon the leading blackberry producer in the world.

Forensic evidence from the Iron Age Women Haraldskær consume blackberry 2500 years ago, it can be concluded that blackberries have been eaten by humans for thousands of years.
This plant extract rich in anthrocyanin, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. Blackberry also has the ability to absorb oxygen radicals (ORAC) against perosokil radicals, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, and singlet oxygen.
Blackberry is famous for its high nutrient content of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid - vitamin B, and an essential mineral, manganese.

Nutrient content  in each 100 gram Blackberries

Energy                       43 kcal
Fiber                        5.3 g
Sugars                      4.9 g
Calcium                     29 mg
Magnesium                20 mg
Manganese               0.6 mg
Copper                    0.2 mg
Potassium                162 mg
Sodium                       1 mg
Vitamin C                  21 mg
Vitamin A                 214 IU
Vitamin                     20 mg
Folic Acid                  36 mg
Carotene                 128 mg
Lutein + zeaxanthin
   118 mg

Nutrient content of seeds

Blackberries contain numerous large seeds that are not always preferred by consumers. The seeds contain some oil which is rich in omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and fats (linoleic acid), as well as some protein, dietary fiber, carotenoids, ellagitannins and ellagic acid.

Blackberry Fruit for health benefits:

Strengthen the immune system
The content of vitamin C is enough to make blackberry fruit recommended for human consumption by the world health experts. Ursula Arens, a senior nutritionist from the British claimed that vitamin C is useful for the immune system, heart health and lower blood pressure.

Digestive Health
Beside rich in vitamin C, fruit fiber blackberry also has very high compared to other fruits.
"Fiber is very important for the intestine to function properly and help maintain a healthy weight, as well as improving health by helping to lower cholesterol," said Arens.

Heal wounds
Tannins are compounds found on the Blackberry works to heal wounds. Sarah Wilson, an expert in nutrition from the Princess Grace Hospital, London, reveals that the berries put on the injured skin will tighten the tissues that help constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding.

Help inhibit cancer cell
C3G chemical compound (or commonly known as flavonoids) found in blackberry fruit in a clinical trial proved to be effective against skin cancer and lung cancer. Not only that, or a group of anthocyanin pigments in plants that have antioxidant properties able to inhibit tumor cell growth.

Protect the eyes
Blackberry fruit useful to protect the eyes from forming rational, which is the area most sensitive to light and is located behind the retina. This can occur because of blackberry fruits contain lutein that help to prevent eye damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.

Enhance cell growth
Blackberry fruit beneficial for healthy cell division and growth. One of the substances which it is required in folate, or commonly known as vitamin B9 or folic acid which have blackberry fruit. Some health experts even advise pregnant women to consume this fruit so the risk of birth defects has narrowed.

Bone formation
One handheld blackberry fruit gives you almost half the recommended daily intake of manganese. It is known that manganese is the best source of minerals. "Manganese helps form the connective tissue of the body, it is important to build strong bone structure," said Wilson.



Blackberry Recipe Ideas

Medicinal herb tea: To 1 ounce of the dried leaves and root bark, add 1 pint of boiling water, and steep 10 min., drink a tea cup at a time. Use to make jellies, jams, cobblers, and in any recipe where you would use raspberries.

No comments:

Post a Comment