A cross between the raspberry, dewberry, loganberry and the blackberry, they may have an unusual name but they possess some outstanding health benefits. They are usually found amongst similar berry bushes such as the blackberry bush they are becoming one of the most popular health foods in the UK. If this unique and tasty fruit has sparked your curiosity, read on to discover the Top 5 Health Benefits of Boysenberries!
1. Improve digestive health
One major component of boysenberries is that they’re high in dietary fibre, which not only helps promote weight loss but also improves digestive health. They also help lower and maintain cholesterol levels in the body and contribute around 25% of your recommended daily fibre intake.
2. Increase bone strength
It’s not just dairy-based products that encourage and maintain healthy bones, boysenberries can also help! They are rich in Vitamin K, which helps with the retention of calcium in the bones, reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Insufficient intake of Vitamin K can lead the body to secrete calcium in urine. One cup of boysenberries has 13% of the recommended intake of calcium.
3. Help fight infections
Boysenberries are high in Vitamin C. This is a vital vitamin that is needed to help maintain a healthy immune system. The berry is also rich in antioxidants which not only help with the functioning of the immune system, but help the body develop a resistance against infectious agents, as well as subdue potential cancer causing agents. 100g of these berries contains approx 30mg of Vitamin C, which is a quick and easy way to contribute to your RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance).
4. Reduce and maintain blood pressure
Did you know that potassium helps with the maintenance of blood pressure? Boysenberries have a fantastic potassium to sodium ratio, which can not only help with the function of muscle contraction in the body, but also decrease the chances of you experiencing hypertension in the future. The reason for this is because potassium helps balance out the negative effects of salt in the body and aid in the rehydration process.
5. Boosts energy levels
Saving the best for last, boysenberries are rich in manganese and the B Vitamins, which helps release energy from our food. One cup of this fruit contributes 36% towards your advised daily intake of Manganese. This element is important in aiding energy production and conversely, in reducing fatigue.
Boysenberries can be found in jams and spreads in your main supermarkets. There’s a great boysenberries, raspberries, blackberries and açaí flavour yogurt available too from The Collective brand. (You can get this at Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Whole Foods and Nisa.) For those that are into getting their fingers green, you can also grow your own boysenberries in your garden with plants from Dobies or Ashridge Trees. Let us know your experiences or recipes with this delightful fruit!
