The Benefits of Berries

—And Why We Love Them!

A lot of people love berries for sure, but it can be a love or hate relationship due to the fact that there are so many different types and tastes of these small, pulpy fruits. If you don’t like them, don’t fret! Dr Isioma’s taste in berries developed much later in life, so your distaste does not have to be permanent, and not enjoying strawberries does not guarantee you won’t like blueberries— so stay tuned!

What is a berry and why are they so important?

First and foremost, a berry is a fruit which is most often small in size, pulpy, juicy, could contain seeds and is pretty tasty (though we are biased!). There are various colours, sizes and tastes of berries. Most are round, with a few exceptions, and they range from sweet to sour, and red to black, purple, blue and green.

There are true berries (where their ‘fruit wall’ or ‘Pericarp’ is fleshy all the way through,) and what can be referred to as botanically defined berries.

Alejandro Duarte / Unsplash

Examples of true berries are grapes, avocados and red currants.

Examples of botanical berries are Pineapples (a group of berries fused together), bananas, cucumbers, egg plants (aubergines), Gooseberries, elderberry, watermelon, pumpkin, cranberries, blueberries, and more.

Other fruits we call berries, which technically aren’t, are strawberries and raspberries.

Most berries are edible and nutritious, but certain strains are actually poisonous to humans, like the deadly nightshade plant berries and the fruits of the potato.

For the purpose of this article, we are referring to the berries that we are all familiar with naming as such. Those that are sold in the fruit section of your local market, for example: blueberries, blackberries, pomegranates, grapes, strawberries and raspberries.

“Berries can also help with improving the skin because of their richness in antioxidants”

Facts (we love) about berries:

1. Berries are rich in antioxidants which, without getting too technical, reduce the unstable molecules in your body, which are called free radicals. Berries thereby reduce the possibilities of disease, various cancers and also lessen stress kept within your body.

2. Berries are high in fibre. This includes soluble fibre, which helps digestion and reduces hunger pangs by slowing down the movement of food in our digestive tracts. This aids those who are trying to reduce or maintain their weight. For people who are on medications that may cause weight gain as a side effect, this could be helpful.

3. Berries are low in carbohydrates.

4. Berries provide a lot of nutrients and vitamins like Vitamin C, folate, Vitamin K, copper, and manganese

5. Berries have strong inflammatory qualities which helps your body’s immune system to fight infection and or injury.

6. Berries may help with lowering the cholesterol levels in our bodies, which keep our arteries healthy and not clogged up, thereby reducing the body’s susceptibility to heart disease and or diabetes.

7. Berries can also help with improving the skin because of their richness in antioxidants

8. They can be part of most diet regimes that are popular in today’s world. As such, they can be taken into smoothies, cakes, meals, snacks, salads and are very versatile.

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Berries as we know them are generally all round healthy fruits. Though they contain sugars, their wholesome benefits mostly outweigh their few negatives.

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At Freo, we believe in healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle as a means of achieving and maintaining true freedom. Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Soul.

#GoFreo.

Written by Dr. Isioma Nwokolo

Disclaimer

Please make sure you’re not allergic to berries and do not need to eat low fibre foods (due to a pre-existing disease or condition).