Berries for Better Health
Enjoy nutrient powerhouse berries that span the seasons, from blueberries to cranberries, March to December.
May/June 2007
By Kris Wetherbee
Recipes
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At our house, the arrival of fresh berries always is an anticipated event, whether we’re gathering wild berries, harvesting our own fresh from the garden, or buying them at our local farmers’ market or favorite store. Eaten just as they are, berries are exceptionally delicious, with all the appeal of a snack food—just rinse and eat. When the summer sun brings their flavor to peak perfection, fresh-picked berries are undoubtedly one of the highlights of summer foods. And whether used fresh in salads or cooked in recipes from appetizers to desserts, berries make just about any food taste better.
As the crown jewels of summer, berries contain some of nature’s most powerful antioxidants for a host of health benefits, such as lowering the risk of certain cancers and heart disease, and strengthening your body’s natural defenses.
Although berries are small, they are brimming with an overwhelming number of beneficial compounds, such as anthocyanins, catechins, quercetin, ellagic acid and pterostilbene, a relative of the powerful antioxidant resveratrol found in grapes and red wine. These naturally occurring substances help neutralize free radicals—unstable oxygen molecules that damage body cells in ways that lead to disease and aging. The numerous phytochemicals present in berries also offer further health benefits with preventive, protective and other functional properties. In fact, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries and raspberries possess some of the highest antioxidant capacities among fresh fruits.
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