FRUIT AS MEDICINE: Mulberry

What are Mulberries?

Mulberries actually grow on trees rather than the bush so many children sing about. The trees are fast growing and produce a massive amount of berries each season. There are several colors of mulberries from a deep dark red, to white. Black mulberries are the best among the white and red consideration with taste and health. The white varieties are growing in popularity as a superfood sold in health food stores. The leaves of the white mulberry tree are used as food for silk worms.

Nutritional Value of Mulberry

· Carbohydrate (in the form of sugars, mainly glucose and fructose) - 7.8 to 9.2%

· Protein (with essential amino acids) - 15% to 28%

· Fatty acids like linoleic, stearic, and oleic acids - 0.4 to0.5%

· Malic acid, producing sour taste - 1.1 to1.9%

· Fiber - 0.9 to1.4%

· Calcium - 1.8 to 2.4%

· Phosphorus - 0.14 to 0.24%

· Potassium - 1.90 to 2.87% in leaves, 1.33 to1.53% in young stems

· Magnesium - 0.47 to 0.63% in leaves, 0.26 to 0.35% in young stems

Health benefits of mulberries

Mulberries are known to improve blood circulation and are beneficial as an anti-inflammatory that helps to lower the blood pressure and makes you less susceptible to blood clots and strokes. Mulberry juice may help to alleviate some of the symptoms if you suffer from anaemia. In addition to all, these help to prevent heart diseases.

Mulberries contain compounds that support balanced sugar and control blood sugar in diabetic patients. Flavonoid present in mulberries prevents the rise and fall of sugar level in patients. So it is highly effective to prevent complication in diabetic patients due to sugar level spike.

Mulberry is high in Vitamin C and flavonoids which makes it a natural immune booster and prevents flu, cough and cold and other ailments. Mulberry also helps with gastritis problem and chronic hepatitis.

Eating mulberries improve eye vision. It also protects the eye from free radicals which is the cause of eyesight loss and retina degeneration.

Eating mulberry on regular basis will keep the cholesterol level within limits.

Regular consumption of mulberry improves the digestive system, enhancing the appetite level.

Mulberry can balance internal secretion and enhance the immunity. It promotes proper body fluid production. It also helps people who suffer from dehydration. People suffering from body fluid deficiency should take ten milligrams of mulberry daily.

Ageing is caused due to cell damage caused due free radicals. Free radicals are produced due to oxidative stress. But these nutrients: antioxidants leutin, zea-xanthine, carotene and phytonutrients neutralize free radicals and protect from ageing. Eating nutrient rich foods nourishes skin and promotes healthy skin.

It has properties that help in clearing out dark spots and other blemishes on the facial skin.

Mulberries are rich in fiber which improves digestion thus prevent constipation.

Mulberries are noted to strengthen Kidneys and cleanse the liver.

Side Effect of Mulberries

Mulberries are the rich source of nutrient thus improves the health and functioning of the body system. But due to the high nutritional value every food has some side effects due to its excess consumption or any present disease. As mulberries are highly dense with potassium it creates discomfort to the kidney patient. So avoid eating large quantities of mulberries. Take the advice of dietician to eat mulberry.

Sources:

vegetarian.about.com

lifestyle.iloveindia.com

wiki-fitness.com

stylecraze.com

Other links:

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