Berries have that exotic touch common to vegetable species that grow with no help from man. Thousands of years ago they were an important part of the diet of our ancestors,
who did not yet know about agriculture or that berries were good for them. Today, red currants, raspberries, cranberries and blueberries are more and more common in supermarkets and markets, even if they have not yet achieved the status of time-honored fruits such as apples, oranges and bananas. The truth is that berries have properties that make them worth of such a status and which have been confirmed in more than one scientific study.

 

Berries are good anti-oxidants, among other things because they are so rich in vitamin C.
In some berries the level of this vitamin is lower than in citrus fruits but higher than in apples or pears. Raspberries and cranberries hold 20 mg of this nutrient for each 100 grams of product, while blueberries have 10 mg and black currants are a veritable treasure chest of vitamin C, with 100 mg of it for each 100 grams of fruit. The only fruit that can compete with this is the kiwi.

 

Vitamin C is essential to our diet and must be consumed every day because it is water-soluble and does not accumulate in the body. It also has the key job of fighting against free radicals. These are generated by cells naturally and it is impossible to do away with them. They are responsible for ageing and cell deterioration, but we can curb these processes with a proper diet that is rich in vitamin C. A study by Spain's Council for Scientific Research confirms that berries can get the job done and protect against degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

 

Berries are rich in other healthy things. One example are tannins, the benefits of which were discovered in wine, mainly red, which is rich in them. Tannins come from the skin of the grape and its contact with the wood of the casks that wine is aged in. Tannins provide cardiovascular protection. In the same way, and is the case with wine, berries contain flavonoids, another group of anti-oxidants that are also found in cabbages. Flavonoids are good for the heart and have cancer-fighting properties.

 

Besides being anti-oxidants, berries are good for the body in other ways. Raspberries and blueberries have large amounts of soluble fiber, a substance which helps fight cholesterol and diabetes by blocking absorption of fat and sugar in the digestive system. Blueberries are also one of the few foods that contain vitamin E, which is present in abundance in some kinds of vegetable fat. Cranberries seem to have anti-septic qualities and are good for fighting infection, aside from boosting circulation. Finally, red currants enhance appetite and stimulate the body's hormone system.

 

One of the problems with berries is that they are eaten in small amounts and generally are just part of homemade desserts and cakes. For this reason it is not a bad idea to take advantage of their virtues and have a bowl of them now and then with breakfast. Another common use is to make marmelade or jam. Berries' tart flavor goes well with sugar, which, should be eaten in moderation, gives the body energy and is the best food there is for the brain.