Health Benefits of Berries

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Enjoy nutrient powerhouse berries that span the seasons, from blueberries to cranberries, March to December. Photo by emmi

At our house, the arrival of fresh berries always is a highly 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 delicious, with all the appeal of a snack food—just rinse and chow down. When the summer sun brings their flavor to peak perfection, fresh-picked berries are undoubtedly one of the highlights of the season. And whether used fresh in salads or cooked in recipes from appetizers to desserts, berries elevate the taste of just about any food.

Berry Recipes

• Cranberry-Cornmeal Muffins
• Healthy Blueberry Smoothie
• Sautéed Salmon with Blackberry Sauce
• Baby Greens Salad with Strawberries and Strawberry-Balsamic Dressing
• Blueberry Cobbler
• Triple Berry Sorbet
• Raspberry Cheesecake
• 3 Summertime Treats 

Health Benefits of Berries

Besides being delicious, berries are healthful. Berries 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.