This Romantic Picnic Fruit You Forget About Has 5 Insane Health Benefits
by The Candidly Team
There are few things more satisfying than finding out something incredibly delicious also has amazing health benefits.
And in no case is this more true than with berries, which are basically candy, or the flavor most candy is trying to imitate.
Berries have been named as one of the healthiest foods you can eat, and yet, there is one particular berry that sometimes gets overlooked. It’s sort of the black sheep of the berry family, and though deeply delicious, it’s consistently out-sold by its red and blue cousins.
That berry is, of course, the blackberry.
We tend to think of blackberries in the context of poems about pies or in picnic-scapes nestled on a gingham napkin. But blackberries carry a wild amount of glorious health-boosting rewards.
Here are some of the benefits being discussed:
1. They have more vitamin C than blueberries.
One cup of blackberries has half the daily recommendation of vitamin c. We know you hear a lot about this particular antioxidant, but in summary, it’s known for helping to boost immunity, fight free radicals, regenerate your skin, and possibly lower the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. So, step aside blueberries, or better yet just eat them both… by the handful…at your desk…while reading about this.
2. They’re full of fiber.
We don’t talk enough about fiber. We need fiber - like a lot of fiber. A diet rich in fiber can help detox the body, reduce cholesterol, boost metabolism, and maintain blood sugar…not to mention all the things it famously does for digestion. And not to call out blueberries again, but blackberries have nearly twice as much fiber.
3. They carry vitamin k.
It’s nice to know that each juicy berry we pop in our mouths can add up to a glorious dose of vitamin k. One cup has around a third of our daily needs. Vitamin k’s highlights include promoting bone health and helping with blood clotting.
4. They have manganese (don’t feel bad if you don’t know what that is).
Manganese is a big contributor to bone health, with properties that help prevent osteoporosis. It can also assist with managing blood sugar levels, protecting cells from damage, enhancing immunity, and producing energy as well as collagen.
5. They have anthocyanins (again, fear not; we’ll explain).
There are studies that show anthocyanins can “increase blood flow to your brain and activate areas that control speech, memory and attention.” With their potential power to reduce inflammation, the anthocyanins in blackberries may help keep our brain function in tact. There’s also some new data emerging showing that they might aid in cancer prevention.
How To Eat Them:
Before you make fun of us for literally telling you how to eat a blackberry, hear us out. We are nothing if not crafty about tricking ourselves into squeezing more fruits and vegetables into our diet in forms we actually enjoy. Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy blackberries:
In a salad with your preferred greens, an ample scoop of nuts or seeds, crumbled goat cheese, a drizzle of perfect olive oil, and this balsamic.
Topping a platter of grain-packed crackers (or freshly toasted baguette slices if you’re fancy) that have been smothered in triple creme brie and finished off with a light swirl of honey
Plopped into a bowl of Greek yoghurt, overnight oats, or this decadent, yet completely nutritious chocolate chia pudding…aka pretty much any non-egg based breakfast food you’re enjoying these days.
Baked into a healthful yet indulgent fruit crisp like this one.
On a picnic tray (of course), wildly filling the corners and empty ravines between fig pastes, gorgeous cheeses, and charcuterie you went three stores away to find. (Also, works with a plain old plate of cheddar and water crackers, because blackberries alone bring nothing if not sophistication).
And if all this isn’t enough to convince you of their culinary superpowers, just enjoy them by themselves…shoveled into your mouth, multiple times a day, with zero preparation necessary.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in place of professional advice, medical treatment, or professional care in any way. This article is not intended to be and should not be a substitute for professional care, advice or treatment. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before changing any health regimen. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease of any kind. Read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
