GARBAGE IN EQUALS GARBAGE OUT
Health experts tell us that what we put into our bodies is equal to what we will get out of our bodies.
What foods have you been fueling with lately?
Today I thought it might be beneficial to look at some of the fruit we eat. I would like to break that down even further and say, today I want us to look at one fruit in particular.
Why?
For starters; good nutritious health is mostly made up of fruits and vegetables.
WHAT FRUIT IS THE BEST OF ALL?
I have been wondering what fruit is the most nutritious fruit on the earth.
Do you know?
I’ll give you three guesses. No…no….no…..this fruit probably isn’t one you would guess right away.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU
It is very common though. This little fruit grows on bushes locally, and it is very easy to pick.
The most nutritious fruit on the earth is the tiny little blackberry!
This is the same fruit that I have taken for granted for years; the one I used to pick with my grandmother so that we could make delicious home-made pies and cobblers.
Are you as surprised as I was to find this out?
How could something so common be so good?
This little fruit we all call “blackberry” is one of the joys of everyday life that we have totally taken for granted.
RATED MOST NUTRITIOUS FRUIT
From a group of over 30 fruits, the little blackberry was rated the most nutritious fruit of all. I’m moving this old southern favorite fruit back to the top of my list! We all should be eating more blackberries!
Based on a scientific analysis of calories, sugar content, fiber, omega-3 content, antioxidant content, glycemic load and vitamins, the little blackberry contained the best rating of all the fruits available.
A SOUTHERN DELIGHT
Those of us living in the South are fortunate indeed in that this great little berry grows abundant on our hillsides all through the summer months.
By the time Fall arrives it is getting a little late to be picking those precious berries; so better get a move on in these last dog-days of summer. Get on out there and do a little blackberry picking and grab some rays of healthy sunshine at the same time.
It might be a good idea to google “blackberry farms” to see where they grow in your local area.
Blackberry farms DO exist; though many people have them growing wild on their own property.
Just go outside with your eyes wide-open and notice where the blackberry bushes are springing up around your part of the country. I would caution you to wear gloves (those limbs are prickly) and watch for snakes hiding behind those bushes.
Why not have a fun day in the sunshine and bring home some luscious berries for cooking?
You can put the clean berries into a zip-lock bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months. That way you can enjoy the nutritious benefits of the blackberry all year-long.
A FAVORITE FOOD FOR MANY TABLES
Blackberry jam is awesome! Make it a family affair and gather everyone the kitchen for some good old-fashioned jam making.
Of course, we all know these berries taste best just fresh off the vine before any processing at all takes place. This is also the way you get the most nutritious value when eating.
Blackberries are delicious in salads.
They make great smoothies.
Some people enjoy blackberries mixed in their yogurt.
Blackberry jam is tasty on a sandwich and you can mix it up with peanut butter!
I love blackberries on pancakes and waffles.
They can be sprinkled in cereal or oatmeal too.
We all need a little blackberry cobbler from time-to-time. Just go easy on the ice cream topping and be sure you are on a feast day for this special treat.
AN ADDED BONUS
As an added bonus to all the health benefits found for the physical body in the blackberry; you can also include the psychological benefits reaped from the very act of blackberry picking.
I could share my own experiences here; but I think it is said better by a poet who shared some poetry in another blog post from someone who recommend the poetic experience of blackberry picking for therapy.
If you love poetry with your food; you might enjoy taking in this link: https://ogradywellbeing.com/lesson-mindfulness-blackberry-picking/.
SO MANY HEALTH BENEFITS IN ONE LITTLE BERRY
The tiny little blackberry contains loads of vitamin C,A,B,E and K. It is full of antioxidants that are good for fighting ageing, inflammation, cancer and several other chronic diseases. The blackberry is loaded down with nutritious minerals.
There is one factor that makes the blackberry stand above all the other fruits for fighting cancer. That is the ability to act as a natural chemotherapy drug to prevent the formation of certain cancer cells. If cancer runs in your family; you should be eating more blackberries.
Blackberries are also good for keeping your brain healthy. They help to prevent memory loss. Science Daily has reported that berry fruits change the way neurons in the brain communicate. These changes can prevent inflammation in the brain that contribute to neuronal damage and improve both motor control and cognition.
You may not be aware of the fact that the leaves of the blackberry bush may also be consumed. Strange; but true and they are pretty tasty in salads. People have used these leaves to treat inflammation of the gums and to soothe sore throats.
You can also use the blackberry leaves to make a refreshing cup of tea. It may taste a bit bitter; but it goes well when you add honey to make it sweet.
Blackberry juice has been found effective in helping to clot blood. It is often used to aid in child labor for stopping the pain. It is a muscle relaxer, and it is a good natural remedy for women who suffer from severe menstrual cramps.
A cup of blackberries will provide you with more fiber than a cup of bran flakes.
Eating blackberries should also help to increase your energy level.
Several recent studies indicate that blackberries are great for increasing the strength of your cardiovascular system and eliminating heart problems.
The astringent tannis which is found in the blackberry is effective for oral hygiene and can be used to make a gargle or mouthwash.
Eating blackberries may help kill oral bacteria which can cause illness.
According to Oregon State University, blackberries contain gallic acid, rutin and ellagic acid, compounds that may have antiviral properties.
THE RESEARCH BEARS WITNESS
Researchers from the University of Kentucky and The University of North Carolina found the blackberry extract’s antibacterial properties are beneficial.
They tested this on ten different kinds of bacteria and concluded that blackberry extract’s ability to kill pathogens, along with its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties make it a promising ingredient in products designed to prevent or treat periodontal infections.
It may disturb a few people to learn that drinking blackberry wine in moderation has good health benefits. Please note the word “moderation” as you pour a delicious and luxurious glass of blackberry wine.
So enjoy a cup of blackberry wine, any maybe as you sip, just sit quietly and take in a sunset. It is good for the soul!
A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that people who imbibe wine from dark berries are 45 percent less likely to develop colon cancer.
How is all of this possible from just one little berry?
Amazing!
BECOMING MORE FRUITFUL
All I can tell you is that you should eat your blackberries and become more fruitful! I hope to post some good recipes for blackberry baking soon. Keep watching the MONDAY NIGHT MENUS column for those.
I also hope to explore the qualities of other fruits in this blog more often. Fruit is very good for you; both physically and spiritually.
So now that we know the blackberry is the best fruit in the world, we would all do well to eat more blackberries more often.
Now that we have discovered the best physical fruit, we might also have a desire to find the best SPIRITUAL fruit. The answer can be found in the following verse taken from Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Against such things there is no law.
What better combinations for health could you ever find?
Serve up those blackberries with love.
They were meant to be shared.
Just blackberries and love will drastically improve your lifestyle toward better health and it will also add a little fun into your days at the same time.
Get out there and go blackberry picking!