Juicy and full of flavor, blackberry is a fruit widely consumed fresh and as an ingredient in desserts, especially jams and red fruit sauces. But did you know that this sweet treat is full of health benefits and even helps you lose weight ?!
That’s right! As it is low in calories and high in fiber, blackberries are a friend of a balanced diet. And this is just one of the many benefits that the fruit offers to the body. The abundance of vitamins, minerals and fiber allows it to maintain balance and make the necessary repairs in the body, preventing illness.
Interested? Keep reading and learn more about blackberry, its benefits and how to make your tea. Good reading!
Table of Contents
Blackberry Benefits for a Healthier Life
Nutritionist Maraisa Cavalcante says that this fruit is excellent to be consumed regularly, as it contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds. “An example of this type of compound is the anthocyanins, responsible for the attractive color of the fruit and for the antioxidant activity. In addition to several phenolic compounds and carotenoids, which also have antioxidant action ”, completes the nutritionist.
1- Helps you lose weight
The blackberry can help with weight loss because it has high amounts of fiber – a 100 gram serving contains 5.3 grams of the substance – which helps in digestion and keep the body feeling full for longer. It also has the mineral manganese, responsible for keeping the metabolism high and helping with fat burning .
Maraisa also remembers that “no food alone has the power to lose weight or promote weight gain. What makes you lose weight is having a negative energy balance, that is, eating less than you spend”.
2- Decreases the signs of aging on the skin
As it is a fruit rich in antioxidants, its consumption favors the maintenance of an always young skin. The good news is that not only do we need to eat this delight, it is also possible to enjoy this effect by drinking the tea or using the extracts externally. The properties of vitamin C have the ability to be activated directly in contact with the skin. For this it is worth betting on a simple and homemade recipe for a face mask.
- Blackberry face mask
Ingredients
- 2 cups of fresh blackberries
- 1 cup of plain yogurt.
Preparation mode
Blend the ingredients in a blender until you get a smooth mixture. Spread a generous layer on your face and let it work for 15 minutes. To remove, just wash with water.
3- Increases immunity and prevents diseases
By having in its composition the presence of vitamins C and E, the blackberry considerably strengthens the immune system. “The regular consumption of this fruit is related to the prevention of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and those related to aging, as its antioxidant power fights the free radicals responsible for cell aging”, says the nutritionist.
4- Prevents and treats cancer
The properties of blackberry, the most common type of fruit, are effective in the treatment of oral, colon, breast and prostate cancer . They are also able to inhibit the occurrence of factors that are involved in the skin cancer process caused by the action of UV-B rays and prevent cell proliferation in lung cancer.
The blackberry extract can interfere with the progression of cancer cases, as it can hinder the activity of metalloproteinase enzymes, which when manifested atypically, contribute to metastasis.
Nutritional table
100 Gram serving | Amount per serving |
Energetic value | 43 Kcal |
Protein | 1,39 g |
Fiber | 5,3 g |
Carbohydrate | 9,61 g |
Zinc | 0,53 mg |
Calcium | 29 mg |
Match | 22 mg |
Ferro | 0,62 mg |
Sodium | 1 mg |
Potassium | 162 mg |
C vitamin | 21 mg |
Magnesium | 20 mg |
* Daily reference values based on a 2000kcal or 8400kj diet. Your daily values can be higher or lower depending on your energy needs. Data taken from the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, USDA.
Blackberry tea
Blackberry tea is made with the leaves of the mulberry tree, which is where the greatest amount of plant nutrients is concentrated, such as vitamins C and E, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. This infusion is very widespread in traditional medicine in China, but it has also gained popularity in the West.
Due to its detoxifying character, the drink is indicated to clean the blood, treat stomach pain and diarrhea, in addition to alleviating the symptoms of colds and dizziness.
How to make
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons of blackberry leaves
- 250 ml of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water, turn off the heat and add the plant. Let stand for 10 minutes and consume. For those looking for weight loss, it is recommended to drink the tea without sweetening.
TIP! To compose this tea, you can use white, black, red, millet and wild blackberry leaves as well.
Blackberry tea to lose weight.
The fight against extra pounds can be easier with natural allies that bring health gains while working on weight loss.
According to Maraisa, blackberry tea can be used as an aid in weight loss . “Overweight people have more inflamed bodies and the antioxidant action of this tea can help reduce this inflammation, making the process occur in a more satisfying and healthy way,” he explained.
The infusion also helps in this process by naturally inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates, preventing high-energy foods (breads, pasta, tubers, among others) from being transformed into glucose.
Blackberry tea with ginger
Nutritionist Maraisa recommends a recipe that will help burn even more calories, since ginger has a potent thermogenic effect .
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (dessert) fresh ginger peeled and grated.
- 4 tablespoons of blackberry leaves
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water, turn off the heat and add the ginger and leaves. Let it sit for 10 minutes, strain and drink throughout the day.
TIP! Keep the tea in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, after which its properties significantly reduce.
Contraindications and side effects
Blackberry tea should be consumed sparingly by those suffering from hypoglycemia or taking medication to control diabetes. As it is a drink that naturally reduces blood sugar levels, it should only be consumed by these patients under medical supervision. People who are allergic to plant extracts should also avoid tea.
Characteristics, types and origin of blackberry
The blackberry is a tasty and aromatic fruit belonging to the genus Morus . This fruit grows on medium-sized trees that can reach 5 meters in height, called mulberry trees. They are native to North America, Africa and Asia, but have become well used to the climate in Brazil.
The most cultivated species of mulberry are the blackberry (Morus alba), blackberry (Morus nigra) and redberry (Morus rubra). The fruits of up to 3 centimeters, are shaped like a bunch of grapes.
One of the variations of this fruit is the blackberry. It belongs to the genus Rubus and grows on bushes, unlike the blackberries of the genus Morus that grow on trees. The blackberry fruit is delicate, succulent and with a lot of aroma. It can have rounded shapes and have a hollow center.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.