Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan
New Delhi: Nature's bounties know no bounds. We are blessed with its gifts in abundance, however , are not exactly familiar with all of them.
One such gift that mother nature has bestowed upon us comes in the form of Mulberries.
The fruit, borne by a deciduous tree by the name of Morus Alba, which is grown in temperate regions, is super nutritious as well as delicious.
Not only for us, it is also good for silk worms who feed on mulberry leaves.
According to to an article published by Purdue University's Center for New Crops and Plant Products, mulberries are native to China and have long been used in folk medicine to treat a variety of illnesses.
They look like blueberries and taste like grapefruit. They are most commonly made into wine, fruit juice, tea, jam or canned foods and can be eaten in dried as well as fresh form.
Supremely healthy, a 100 grams of mulberries contain 43 calories and have 88% of water content.
Mulberries are packed to the brim with nutrients that are important for our body, including iron, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, phosphorous, and calcium, as well as a significant amount of dietary fiber and a wide range of organic compounds, including phytonutrients, zea-xanthin, resveratrol, anthocyanins, lutein, and various other polyphenolic compounds.
Below, we have compiled a list of a few essential health benefits that we can derive from Mulberries. Have a look!
1. Digestion:
Rich in dietary fiber, the super fruit helps complete approximately 10% of your daily requirements in a single serving. It aids in smooth diegestion by bulking up stool, thereby speeding up the movement of food through the digestive tract, while also reducing occurrences of constipation, bloating, and cramping.
2. Controls blood sugar:
Certain compounds in mulberries help diabetic patients control their blood sugar levels and maintain a balance. Flavanoids prevent the rise and fall of sugar level in patients.
3. Heart health:
Fried foods, junk food, unhealthy eating habits trigger a rise in bad cholesterol, which in turn hampers heart health. Studies have shown that mulberries and mulberry extract can reduce excess fat and lower cholesterol levels. Therefore, it prevents the blockage in flow of blood, so it is highly effective in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
4. Enhances immunity:
Mulberries contain alkaloids that activate macrophages which are white blood cells that stimulate the immune system, putting it on high active alert against health threats. It also promotes proper body fluid production.
5. Improves vision:
Mulberries have a high content of Vitamin A which strengthens our eye sight and relieves eye strain, which makes it ideal for those who work on the computer for long hours. It also protects eyes from free radicals which is the cause of eye sight loss and retina degeneration.
