What Is Blackberry?
Like its colorful siblings, strawberries, and blueberries, blackberries belong to the family Rosaceae. Seen as a wild plant due to its prickly and rough appearance in ancient times, this shrub was used by some cultures around the world for its medicinal properties. Used by the Greeks and Romans for making tea, today, blackberries are used to make jams, marmalades, or even as a topping on your favorite cereal. Even though it is hard to pin the origin of blackberries, it is now grown in all continents except Australia and Antarctica. With a rise in popularity, blackberries are being used all over the world for their health benefits. With a sweet and slightly tangy taste, blackberries are nature’s dessert for us.
Nutritional Information Of Blackberries
According to the nutritional information provided by The US Department of Agriculture, 1 cup of blackberries gives you 61.9 calories with a generous boost of 13.8g of carbohydrates and 7.6g of fiber. With just 0.7g of fat, you do not have to worry about putting on those extra pounds. Also with rich content of calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium, these berries are a very good source of nutrition (1). Now that you know blackberries’ nutritional data, let us delve deeper into the different health benefits blackberries have to offer.
What Are The Potential Health Benefits Of Blackberries?
Blackberries’ benefits are numerous. From playing a major role in fighting cancer to having anti-inflammatory properties, let us see what research has to say (2).
May Help Lower Cholesterol Levels
The World Health Organization says that high cholesterol levels increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and stroke. With a global prevalence of 39%, it is important that we find healthier ways to decrease cholesterol levels (3). According to a study that was conducted, hamsters with high cholesterol levels were given 5ml of blackberry nectar everyday. The researchers saw that the hamsters who had consumed blackberry nectar showed a decrease in their total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels, showing great promise in the treatment of cholesterol (4 ).
May Help Fight Cancer
Blackberries contain water-soluble compounds known as anthocyanins that are found in different fruits that give them their beautiful color (5). These dark-hued berries have shown that they have immense potential in fighting cancer. A study was conducted to see the effect of blackberry extract on human colorectal cancer cells. The experts found that the blackberry extract had inhibited the growth of six cancer cell lines, indicating that blackberry extract played a role in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells (6). Another study found that blackberry was essential in inhibiting cell growth of breast, lung, colon, and gastric human tumor cells, suggesting that blackberry may play a key role in fighting cancer (7 ).
May Play A Role In Preventing Oral Infection
An in vitro study was conducted to examine the antibacterial properties of blackberry extract against oral bacteria. The results showed that within an hour of exposure to blackberry extract, it had reduced the metabolic activity of three oral bacteria, indicating that blackberry may play an active role in the prevention of oral infection (8).
May Improve Brain Function
While more research needs to be done to support this claim, blackberries have been shown to improve overall brain functioning. A study was done on 344 aged Fischer rats to see the effect of a blackberry supplemented diet on motor and cognitive function. The researchers saw an improvement in the motor function in regard to balance and coordination. Along with this, they also found that there was an improvement in their short-term memory (9).
May Help In Improving Your Skin Health
In a study, blackberry and dill were combined to see their effect on skin elasticity. The researchers saw that the combination of blackberry and dill extract improved skin elasticity as compared to each ingredient individually. More research needs to be done to understand blackberries’ benefits for the skin (10).
May Aid In Weight Loss
Research suggests that increased insulin sensitivity is linked to weight loss (11). With blackberries gaining popularity as a healthy food, researchers have been increasingly studying this super berry more. In a study, twenty-seven obese and overweight males were either given 600 grams of blackberries or gelatin everyday for a week before a glucose tolerance test was conducted. The results showed that those men who were given blackberries showed improved insulin sensitivity, indicating that blackberries may aid in weight loss but more studies will need to be conducted on humans to understand this phenomenon further (12).
High In Antioxidants
In a study where the antioxidant levels of blackberries, black raspberries, and strawberries were examined, the results showed that blackberries and raspberries showed higher levels of antioxidants than strawberries (13). This is promising as antioxidants such as vitamins C and K help fight free radicals, compounds that have a damaging effect on our health (14). Vitamin C also plays an important role in collagen formation within bones, connective tissues, and blood vessels (15). Beyond this, it has potential benefits, including wound healing, skin regeneration, and reduction of free radicals (16). Vitamin K, on the other hand, plays an important role in maintaining bone health (17).
High In Fiber
Despite their small size, blackberries stand out for their high fiber content, with nearly 8 grams of fiber in just one cup of raw blackberries. A diet that includes high fibre offers several benefits, including the potential to lower cholesterol, support regular bowel movements, regulate blood sugar levels by slowing sugar absorption, prolong the feeling of fullness after meals, and provide essential fuel for nurturing a healthy population of gut bacteria (18). As you can see, the benefits of blackberries are many, be it aiding in shedding those extra pounds or helping you lower your cholesterol levels. While more research needs to be done, the results are promising. Let us read next about the different ways in which blackberries may be added to your diet.
How To Add Blackberries To Your Diet
Fresh blackberries are fruits that are versatile and can be added to any meal of the day, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a quick snack. You can add blackberries to your porridge or cereal if you want something tangy and sweet. On days when you are not feeling hungry and need something filling, a nice blackberry smoothie is the way to go. They are also a great ingredient to make pies and crumbles when you are craving something sweet. Incorporating blackberries into your diet can add some color and a nice flavor to your daily food. Let’s look at some simple recipes of blackberries you can flip through.
List Of Popular Recipes With Blackberries
With so many recipes out there, here are a few simple ones that you can make anytime you want to.
Blackberry Smoothie
Ingredients
1 cup of frozen blackberries ½ cup of frozen pineapple chunks ½ cup of plain non-fat Greek yogurt 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk 1 tablespoon of honey
Instructions Adam, a blogger who shares gardening tips, after picking berries for a smoothie, discusses his approach to pruning blackberries. He mentions, “My approach to pruning blackberries, entails removing either any dead wood, or anything that gets in the way. Blackberry thorns can be viscous and numerous (i)!”
Blackberry Pie
Ingredients
4 cups of fresh blackberries ½ cup white sugar ½ cup all-purpose flour 9-inch double-crust pie 2 tablespoons of milk
Instructions Blackberry fruit is a great addition to your diet as it can benefit your health in many ways. With that, let us see some possible side effects of blackberry.
Possible Side Effects Of Blackberry
Currently, there is no research that suggests that blackberries produce any possible side effects. They are relatively safe to consume. Washing them thoroughly before consumption is recommended. Now let’s see which of the berries is better for you, blackberries or blueberries?
Blackberry Vs. Blueberry – Which Is Best?
Both blueberries and blackberries benefit us in more ways than one. Blackberries, as seen from the earlier section, may help fight cancer, aid in weight loss, and do a lot more. Research has suggested that blueberries are packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, blueberry benefits your health in various ways, such as slowing down aging and fighting gastrointestinal diseases (19). While blueberries are tangy, and bordering on acidic, blackberries are sweet and juicy. If you are looking to add something sweet to your morning smoothie or cereal, blackberries would be the perfect addition to it. But if you are someone who likes their ice-cream or cake less sweet, then blueberries are your go to berries. Both berries are healthy in their own ways and it ultimately comes down to their availability and your personal choice.
Summary
What happens if I eat too many blackberries? Blackberries are safe to consume and have no potential side effects even if taken in excess. However, if you are allergic to them, blackberries may cause rashes, wheezing, and itching. Additionally, canned blackberries may contain preservatives and sugar that may trigger abdominal discomfort and weight gain. Should I refrigerate blackberries? Yes, blackberries should be refrigerated. However, do not wash them before refrigeration as it may trigger the growth of the mold in them. Hence, washing them right before consumption is advised. Can you eat blackberries whole? Yes, blackberries can be eaten whole to reap their benefits. Do blackberries make you sleepy? Blackberries may make you feel sleepy. The antioxidants in them may reduce stress and promote sleep quality. However, scientific research is required to prove the same. Do you get maggots in blackberries? Yes, there is a chance of getting maggots in blackberries. Soaking them in cold water and apple cider vinegar helps get rid of the maggots. How long do fresh blackberries last? If stored in a refrigerator, fresh blackberries can last for a week. Can people with diabetes eat blackberries? Yes, blackberries are safe for consumption for people with diabetes. They are a low glycemic food that can be consumed in moderation. Discover the remarkable health benefits of blackberries and explore how these antioxidant-rich fruits boost brain health, support heart function. Include them in diet for a delicious and nutritious lifestyle upgrade.
