Benefits
Drawback - Adverse Effects
Blackberries are a useful source of vitamin C, which helps to fight infection and boost the immune system. Fresh blackberry juice makes an excellent all-round tonic because it provides carbohydrates for energy, it is rich in biofiavonoids and it also contains fibre as well as folate. Though not common in South Africa, blackberries are now commercially cultivated on a small scale. In Europe wild berries have a more concentrated flavour, but may be contaminated by lead from exhaust fumes or polluted by pesticides if picked from roadsides or alongside cultivated land. Anyone who is intolerant to aspirin may find that they experience a similar reaction after eating blackberries. This is because blackberries contain salicylate, a natural aspirin-like compound which has been known to trigger HYPERACTIVITY OR ASTHMA in susceptible people. In herbal medicine, blackberry leaf tea is used as a remedy for diarrhoea, as a decongestant and as a stomach tonic.
Benefits
Blackcurrants are high in vitamin C, which is vital in improving iron absorption for vegetarians. Weight for weight they contain four times as much vitamin C as an orange. One 15 g (˝ oz) tablespoonful supplies 30mg of the vitamin - half of the South African recommended daily intake. Studies show that the vitamin C in blackcurrants is particularly stable; a syrup of blackcurrants will lose only 15 per cent of its vitamin content in a year. Blackcurrant skins contain pigments called anthocyanocides, which are known to inhibit bacteria such as E. coli - a common cause of stomach upsets. In Scandinavia, the dried, powdered skins are used to treat diarrhoea. Anthocyanocides are also anti-inflammatory, which is why blackcurrant drink soothes sore throats. Fresh and frozen blackcurrants are now commercially available on a small scale.
Benefits
Drawback - Adverse Effects
Unlike many berries which are so sour they have to be cooked with sugar to make them palatable, blueberries are naturally sweet and can be eaten raw, so preserving their vitamin C. Though they are a good source of the vitamin, you would need to eat almost 300g (1O˝oz) of fresh berries to meet the average adult’s daily requirement. Traditionally, the berries were dried and used to cure diarrhoea and food poisoning. Medical research now offers a scientific basis for such remedies for they contain antibacterial compounds (called anthocyanins) which are particularly effective against some forms of E. coli, the main culprits in many gastrointestinal disorders. Because the berries inhibit bacteria such as E. coli (which can spread up the urinary tract to the bladder), they are a valuable aid against recurrent urinary tract infections such as cystitis. At the same time (like cranberries) blueberries contain a substance which can prevent infectious bacteria from clinging to the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra. Recent US studies suggest that the berries may improve sight and provide protection against worsening vision, glaucoma, cataracts and similar disorders; however, more research will be needed before these claims for the fruit can be finally proved or disproved. Like many other berry fruits blue berries are potential causes of allergic reactions, the most common symptoms of which are swelling of the lips and eyelids, and an itchy swollen rash.
Benefits:
The raw, edible varieties of cherries are a good source of potassium, which helps to stabilise the heartbeat and keep the skin healthy. They also contain useful amounts of vitamin C. First brought to Britain by the Romans, cherries have been growing there since AD100. They are valued in natural medicine for their cleansing properties - the fruit is believed to remove toxins and fluids and cleanse the kidneys. Their mild laxative action can help to relieve constipation. Eating 225 g of cherries per day - fresh or canned - will also lower levels of uric acid in the blood, which may help to prevent gout. Cherries Are Good Food Cherries are my absolute favourite fruit. When Rainier cherries are available, I find myself going to the store every other day to get more because I cannot get enough of those tasty morsels of fruit! In folklore, cherries have been used to cure kidney stones, gall bladder ailments, epilepsy, and even to remove phlegm. Ludwig Blau, Ph.D., claimed he cured his gout by eating six to eight cherries each day. He had no scientific explanation for his discovery, but was able to get out of his wheelchair as long as he ate cherries. He also noted that twelve others who ate cherries and drank cherry juice were also able to get rid of gout. In a study at Forsyth Dental Center, black cherry juice blocked eighty-nine percent of the enzyme activity leading to plaque formation. This is the only scientific reference to the therapeutic value of cherries. Personally, I don't need scientific evidence to prove that cherries are a very good food for my taste buds and my body! (Victoria is my friend and fellow health writer who developed what may be the best natural dental program anywhere: http://chetday.com/toothsoap.shtml Cherry Varieties There are more than 1000 varieties of cherries - 200 in South Africa alone. The edible varieties can be divided into sour cherries, such as Morello, and sweet cherries, like Napoleon and Bing. The sweet varieties are the best for eating raw, while sour cherries are ideal for using in pies and sorbets. Hybrid cherries, such as Dukes, are good for both eating and cooking. When buying sweet cherries, look for plump, firm fruits with a green stalk to indicate freshness. They are normally pale yellow or dark red but can be purple or almost black, depending on the variety. Sour cherries should be plump, round and are usually scarlet or deep crimson in colour.
Benefits:
The juice of these scarlet berries has long been used as a remedy for cystitis and other bladder, kidney and urinary tract infections, especially in there native North America. Initially, the scientific explanation for this was based on the high acidity content of the cranberries. It was thought they raised acidity levels of the urine, thereby killing the bacteria responsible for the infection. However, scientific research undertaken in Ohio, USA, suggest that cranberries contain a substance that prevents the infectious bacteria from clinging to the cells that line the urinary tract and bladder, preventing them from multiplying. Further research undertaken by Israeli scientist comparing a variety of other juices indicates that the only other fruit to have a similar effect is the blueberry, a member of the same botanical family. Many urologists recommend drinking a couple of glasses of cranberry juice daily as a preventative measure and to control minor infections. If symptoms persist seek medical attention as medication may be necessary. Commercially produced cranberry juice is high in sugar, which may not be evident from its tart taste. Consequently, it may not be suitable for certain people such as diabetics. Cranberries are not grown commercially in South Africa with the result that juice has to be imported and is quite difficult to find. Speciality grocery stores and health-food shops may stock the juice while some health stores may have cranberry capsules available - consult an expert in herbal medicine.
Benefits:
One of the prettiest fruits, the Cape gooseberries are also known as Chinese lanterns. Contrary to popular belief, the Cape gooseberry is not a true berry, but a member of the tomato family. Neither are they indigenous to the Cape of South Africa, despite the name. Cape gooseberries originally came from South America, Mexico and the Southern states of the United States of America and were probably introduced to the Cape in the Early 19th century. Cape gooseberries contain useful amounts of beta carotene and vitamin C (62mg per 100 grams), which helps to promote a strong immune system, as well as 198mg per Gooseberries are also a useful source of soluble fibre and are low in kilojoules a 100 gram portion contains a mere 186 kilojoules. However gooseberries are often stewed in a sugar syrup and then served with plenty of cream, which converts the low-kilojoule fruit into a high-kilojoule desert. Cape gooseberries are now grown all over South Africa and while most people only eat the fruit, Xhosa and Fingo people also use the leaves which they cook and eat as a spinach.
Benefits:
Mulberries are not generally available in South African shops, but many people do have mulberry trees in their gardens. Despite the name, the mulberry is not a berry, but is a member of the fig family and grows on a small tree that ripens in summer. It is thought to be indigenous to the area around Iran and around the mountainous regions of Nepal, and is believed to have been brought to Europe by the Ancient Greeks, finally appearing in England in the 16th century. The deep purple fruit is a good source of vitamin C and contains reasonable amounts of potassium, iron, phosphorus, calcium and fibre. Mulberries are relatively low in kilojoules - a 100 gram serving contains 182 kilojoules, but this rises substantially when the fruit is eaten as a dessert with cream or ice-cream or even made into sweet jam. Ironically, the mulberry has always been highly prized for its leaves which, as food for silkworms, are vital to the silk industry.
Benefits:
As a rich source of vitamin C, Raspberries are both delicious and nutritious as well. Vitamin C is needed to maintain the health of skin, bones and teeth, to help the body absorb iron from food, and to speed up the body’s healing processes. As an Antioxidant, vitamin C, may even reduce the risk of development of certain cancers. Raspberries also contain vitamin E, folate and fibre. However once canned in syrup there nutritional benefits diminish considerably. In naturopathic medicine, the juice of raspberries are widely believed to cleanse and detoxify the digestive system, to soothe childhood illnesses and cystitis, and is used as a cooling remedy for fevers. Raspberries are also thought to be useful in the treatment of diarrhoea, indigestion and rheumatism. Raspberry vinegar is used as a gargle for sore throats and may even be added to cough mixture. To make it steep 500 grams of raspberries in 1 litre of wine vinegar for two weeks before straining the juice.
Benefits
Although fresh redcurrants are not available in South Africa, processed redcurrant products can be bought. Redcurrants are rich in Vitamin C - 100 grams of raw redcurrants contains the full adult daily requirement of vitamin C. Cooking and processing this tart-tasting fruit reduces some of its vitamin levels, but redcurrents still remain a good source of vitamin C and potassium. They also contain iron and fibre in quantities which are quite useful.
|
