Blueberries have taken the limelight in the press and among health circles in the past decade since they were elevated to the status of a super fruit. However the less thought of blackberries are right on par! They are almost identical in their overall antioxidant power as blueberries and are actually a better source of antioxidant vitamins such as A, C and E. Recent research has also discovered that blackberries are 40% more potent at fighting some kinds of cancers than all other kinds of berries. So there is no reason that blackberries should not be considered a super fruit either!
Heart Health benefits of Blackberry
Blackberries are a great food for protecting us from heart disease. The health benefits of blackberries’ high vitamin C content protects us from developing arteriosclerosis by virtue of two different mechanisms. First, vitamin C protects blood cholesterol from the damaging effects of free radicals. Once damaged, cholesterol attaches itself to the artery wall and begins to form arteriosclerosis. So daily blackberry juicing recipes will go a long way to protecting us from arteriosclerosis! In addition to this vitamin C is essential for the creation of collagen, a substance that builds strong elasticated healthy arteries. This also helps to prevent the development of arteriosclerosis.
Anti-Cancer Health benefits of Blackberry
A study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh isolated an antioxidant found in blackberries called C-3-R. They tested the effects of this antioxidant upon leukemia cells in a test tube. Within 18 hours half the leukemia cells were destroyed. When the dose of C-3-R was doubled all of the cells were destroyed. This effect still needs to be tested in humans, but the results so far are very promising for the anti-cancer health benefits of blackberries!
Skin Health Benefits of Blackberry
Blackberries are a good source of one of the most important vitamins for our skin – vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential in the creation, maintenance and repair of epithelial skin cells. Even a slight deficiency of vitamin A can result in dry flaky skin. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant that protects the skin from the damaging effects of unstable oxygen molecules (free radicals) that are present in air pollution. This helps protect us from skin cancer and helps to keep our skin looking healthy and clear. A daily blackberry fruit juicer recipe consisting of 4 cups of blackberries provides about 1200IU of vitamin A.