Brief about Blackberry
The (usually) black fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. It is a widespread and well-known group of over 375 species, many of which are closely related apomictic microspecies native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere and South America.
Blackberries are perennial plants which typically bear biennial stems ("canes") from the perennial root system.
In its first year, a new stem, the primocane, grows vigorously to its full length of 3–6 m (in some cases, up to 9 m), arching or trailing along the ground and bearing large
palmately compound leaves with five or seven leaflets; it does not produce any flowers. In its second year, the cane becomes a floricane and the stem does not grow longer, but the lateral buds break to produce flowering laterals (which have smaller leaves with three or five leaflets).[3] First and second year shoots usually have numerous short curved very sharp prickles that are often erroneously called thorns. These prickles can tear through denim with ease, and make the plant very difficult to navigate around. Prickle-free cultivars have been developed. Recently the University of Arkansas has developed primocane fruiting blackberries that grow and flower on first year growth much as the primocane-fruiting (also called fall bearing or everbearing) red raspberries do.
palmately compound leaves with five or seven leaflets; it does not produce any flowers. In its second year, the cane becomes a floricane and the stem does not grow longer, but the lateral buds break to produce flowering laterals (which have smaller leaves with three or five leaflets).[3] First and second year shoots usually have numerous short curved very sharp prickles that are often erroneously called thorns. These prickles can tear through denim with ease, and make the plant very difficult to navigate around. Prickle-free cultivars have been developed. Recently the University of Arkansas has developed primocane fruiting blackberries that grow and flower on first year growth much as the primocane-fruiting (also called fall bearing or everbearing) red raspberries do.
Unmanaged mature plants form a tangle of dense arching stems, the branches rooting from the node tip on many species when they reach the ground. Vigorous and growing rapidly in woods, scrub, hillsides and hedgerows, blackberry shrubs tolerate poor soils, readily colonizing wasteland, ditches and vacant lots.
The flowers are produced in late spring and early summer on short racemes on the tips of the flowering laterals. Each flower is about 2–3 cm in diameter with five white or pale pink petals.
The drupelets only develop around ovules that are fertilized by the male gamete from a pollen grain. The most likely cause of undeveloped ovules is inadequate pollinator visits. Even a small change in conditions, such as a rainy day or a day too hot for bees to work after early morning, can reduce the number of bee visits to the flower, thus reducing the quality of the fruit. Incomplete drupelet development can also be a symptom of exhausted reserves in the plant's roots, or infection with a virus such as Raspberry bushy dwarf virus.
In botanical terminology, the fruit is not a berry, but an aggregate fruit of numerous drupelets.
Advantage of Blackberry
The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the Rubus genus in the Rosaceae family, hybrids among these species within the Rubus subgenus, as well as hybrids between the Rubus and Idaeobatus subgenera. What distinguishes blackberries from its raspberry relatives is whether the torus (receptacle) picks with the fruit, a blackberry, or remains on the plant when picked leaving a hole in the fruit, a raspberry. The term 'bramble', a word meaning any impenetrable scrub, has traditionally been applied specifically to the blackberry or its products,though in the United States it applies to all members of the Rubus genus. In the western US, the term caneberry is used to refer to blackberries and raspberries as a group rather than the term bramble.
Blackberries are a delicious little "aggregate fruit" that grow wild on thorny bushes and are cultivated on every temperate continent, including Africa and Asia. Composed of many individual drupelets, each like a small berry with one seed, each drupelet contributes extra skin, seeds and pectin with dietary fiber value to the nutritional content of blackberries, making them among the highest fiber content plants in the world.
Blackberries can be eaten fresh, frozen and canned and are popularly made into jams, juices, desserts and even wine. Rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, blackberries are highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants. They are also low in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, making them one of the best fruits out there for a balanced diet.
Cancer Prevention
Anthocyanins, which give blackberries their dark color, are an antioxidant shown to reduce inflammation. As an antioxidant, they destroy free radicals in the body that harm cells and lead to cancer. Research has also shown that the ellagic acid in blackberries may have anti-cancer properties. One cup of blackberries contains half of the daily recommendation of the antioxidant vitamin C, which protects the immune system and may lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Researchers have found that blackberries may reduce esophageal cancer by relieving the oxidative stress caused by Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition usually brought about by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Perhaps the greatest benefit from eating blackberries is their high level of phenolic acids which, besides having many other potential health benefits, are antioxidant compounds known as powerful anti-carcinogenic agents. Because of these compounds, blackberries have been given an ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of about 5350 per 100 grams, placing them near the top of ORAC fruits. Anthocyanins, which give blackberries their dark color, are an antioxidant shown to reduce inflammation. As an antioxidant, they destroy free radicals in the body that harm cells and lead to cancer. Research has also shown that the ellagic acid in blackberries may have anti-cancer properties. One cup of blackberries contains half of the daily recommendation of the antioxidant vitamin C, which protects the immune system and may lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Cardiovascular Benefits
The anthocyanins that give blackberries their dark color are antioxidants shown to reduce inflammation by helping combat free radicals in the body that destroy cells and lead to heart disease. Vitamin C in blackberries acts as an antioxidant, and one cup of this delicious berry contains half of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. The immune system uses vitamin C to fight illness adequate vitamin C intake may lower the risk of developing heart disease. One cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, promoting healthy digestion and reducing the risk of heart disease.
The anthocyanins that give blackberries their dark color are antioxidants shown to reduce inflammation by helping combat free radicals in the body that destroy cells and lead to heart disease. Vitamin C in blackberries acts as an antioxidant, and one cup of this delicious berry contains half of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. The immune system uses vitamin C to fight illness adequate vitamin C intake may lower the risk of developing heart disease. One cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, promoting healthy digestion and reducing the risk of heart disease.
As are all berries, blackberries are a great source of ellagic acid, an antioxidant shown to protect the skin from damage from ultraviolet light. Studies have also shown that ellagic acid may also repair skin damaged by the sun. Vitamin C helps heal wounds, and studies also show vitamin C may even lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Studies of cyanidin-3-glucoside, a compound found in blackberries showed it prevents skin cancer by inhibiting tumors from growing and spreading.
Eye Health
Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant in blackberries and one cup contains half of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. The body uses vitamin C for protection from immune system deficiencies, and may reduce the chances of macular degeneration, a condition in which fine vision deteriorates, resulting in central vision loss and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.
Women's Health
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant estrogens found in blackberries that may help relieve the common symptoms of PMS like bloating, food cravings, and even menopausal symptoms including hot flashes.
Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant in blackberries and one cup contains half of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. The body uses vitamin C for protection from immune system deficiencies, and may reduce the chances of macular degeneration, a condition in which fine vision deteriorates, resulting in central vision loss and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.
Women's Health
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant estrogens found in blackberries that may help relieve the common symptoms of PMS like bloating, food cravings, and even menopausal symptoms including hot flashes.
Digestive Tract Health
Just one cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and aids in maintaining bowel regularity by bulking up the feces and reducing the time it takes matter to pass all the way through the intestines. Bowel regularity is commonly associated with a decreased risk for colon cancer.
Just one cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and aids in maintaining bowel regularity by bulking up the feces and reducing the time it takes matter to pass all the way through the intestines. Bowel regularity is commonly associated with a decreased risk for colon cancer.
Diabetes
Thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber is to be found in just one cup of blackberries. The steady movement of fiber through the digestive system allows for a measured breakdown of food into its component parts. This even breakdown of food helps to curtail extremes regarding simple sugar uptake from the digestive tract. An excess of simple sugar uptake all at once can produce an unwanted blood sugar spike. A lack of simple sugar uptake may produce a rapid blood sugar drop. Either extreme can upset blood sugar balance. The quantity of fiber in blackberries helps avoid both extremes.
Thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber is to be found in just one cup of blackberries. The steady movement of fiber through the digestive system allows for a measured breakdown of food into its component parts. This even breakdown of food helps to curtail extremes regarding simple sugar uptake from the digestive tract. An excess of simple sugar uptake all at once can produce an unwanted blood sugar spike. A lack of simple sugar uptake may produce a rapid blood sugar drop. Either extreme can upset blood sugar balance. The quantity of fiber in blackberries helps avoid both extremes.
Bone HealthBlackberries are a good source of vitamin K, offering 36% of the daily recommended amount of this nutrient used by the body for the clotting of blood and to aid the absorption of calcium.
The other 10 thing that you would know about blackberry :
Much like spinach, raisins, apples, plums and grapes, blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, but other nutritional benefits include a very low sodium count and having only 62 calories to a cup.
The dark blue colour ensures blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits. Antioxidants, well-known for lowering the risk of a number of cancers, are a huge bonus, but be aware the berries are best consumed in their natural state to get the full benefits.
The berries are known by a variety of names, which include brambleberries, bramble, dewberry, thimbleberry and lawers.
Consumption of blackberries can help to promote the healthy tightening of tissue, which is a great non-surgical procedure to make skin look younger. Prolonged consumption also helps keeps your brain alert, thereby maintaining clarity of thought and good memory.
The high tannin content of blackberries provides a number of benefits to reduce intestinal inflammation, alleviate hemorrhoids and soothe the effects of diarrhea. It is important to incorporate berries in your diet in a variety of ways. Have them as a snack or in your cereal or even as a smoothie.
Traditionally, the leaves and barks of the plant have also been consumed. The leaves of blackberries have been used to treat mild inflammation of the gums and sometimes even sore throats.
The astringent tannins are effective in oral hygiene when used as a gargle or mouthwash.
The leaves can also be used in a refreshing cup of tea or enhanced as a therapeutic drink. Not everyone will like the flavour, so to mask the bitter taste, honey or another form of sweetener may be added.
The healthy dose of Vitamin K aids in muscle relaxing, so some women use the berries to alleviate labour pains. As part of a regular diet, the juice can also be used to regulate menstruation as it is very effective in helping blood to clot.
And finally, if you have noticed that your blackberry plant has turned orange, destroy it. This is a serious fungal disease that cannot be cured.
Disadvantage of Blackberry
Salicylate Sensitivity
If you have an allergy to aspirin, you may react to eating blackberries, as they contain a naturally occurring version of this chemical. Other foods containing naturally occurring salicylates include almonds, tomatoes, cherries, grapes, raspberries and oranges. Salicylate sensitivity may trigger sinusitis, stomach aches or eczema.
Changes in Urine
The deep purple color of blackberries, as with other richly pigmented food, is an indication of the presence of phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins create the red and purple pigments in peppers, eggplants and blueberries, as well as blackberries. If you eat blackberries, this might lead tough to pink, red or smoky brown urine, notes MedLine Plus. This change of urine color might not be definitively caused by eating blackberries, as it can also be the side effect of medication or because of eating beets or food colorings.
If you have an allergy to aspirin, you may react to eating blackberries, as they contain a naturally occurring version of this chemical. Other foods containing naturally occurring salicylates include almonds, tomatoes, cherries, grapes, raspberries and oranges. Salicylate sensitivity may trigger sinusitis, stomach aches or eczema.
Changes in Urine
The deep purple color of blackberries, as with other richly pigmented food, is an indication of the presence of phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins create the red and purple pigments in peppers, eggplants and blueberries, as well as blackberries. If you eat blackberries, this might lead tough to pink, red or smoky brown urine, notes MedLine Plus. This change of urine color might not be definitively caused by eating blackberries, as it can also be the side effect of medication or because of eating beets or food colorings.
Glycemic Index
Deep-colored berries such as the blackberry have a low glycemic index, estimated at around 32. This makes them a good choice for blood sugar regulation under normal circumstances. Athletes in endurance sports looking to fuel the muscles before an important game or race may not find blackberries the best choice, as higher glycemic foods such as rice and breads provide the needed muscle glycogen.
Deep-colored berries such as the blackberry have a low glycemic index, estimated at around 32. This makes them a good choice for blood sugar regulation under normal circumstances. Athletes in endurance sports looking to fuel the muscles before an important game or race may not find blackberries the best choice, as higher glycemic foods such as rice and breads provide the needed muscle glycogen.
After Oral Surgery
If you have an accident or surgery that leads to having your jaws wired together, you face a recovery time that might stretch six to eight weeks. During this stretch, you eat table foods blended to a consistency that you can consume via a straw. Fruits such as blackberries and strawberries have tiny seeds that can catch in your teeth, so these needed to be avoided during this time, notes the Oral Facial Surgery Center, a facility based in Oklahoma City. The many seeds in these fruits actually provide a source of fiber, useful to those in good oral health.
If you have an accident or surgery that leads to having your jaws wired together, you face a recovery time that might stretch six to eight weeks. During this stretch, you eat table foods blended to a consistency that you can consume via a straw. Fruits such as blackberries and strawberries have tiny seeds that can catch in your teeth, so these needed to be avoided during this time, notes the Oral Facial Surgery Center, a facility based in Oklahoma City. The many seeds in these fruits actually provide a source of fiber, useful to those in good oral health.
Storage Effects
Anthrocyanins in blackberries peak when they are fresh. Researchers at the Department of Food Science at the University of Arkansas looked at how processing and six months of storage affected frozen, canned and juiced blackberries. The berries lost a proportion of their antioxidant capacity during processing unless they were individually quick frozen, they found.
Blackberry Juice
Blackberries do not get enough credit when it comes to their health benefits. These small, dark-colored berries grow on bushes and are often turned into jelly or jam rather than eaten plain. Ancient civilizations relied on blackberries for health and medicinal reasons. Ancient Greeks used blackberries and their juice to treat gout, and the Chinese used blackberries to treat kidney and urinary problems.
Antioxidants
The dark black color of blackberry juice indicates the presence of several antioxidants, which help promote good health. The blackberry is one of the best fruit sources of antioxidants like anthocyanosides and carotenoids. The juice from blackberries has similar amounts of antioxidants, and an 8 oz. glass provides a healthy dose of these protective compounds. Antioxidants have been linked to a reduction in heart disease and cancer risk. Blackberry juice may also protect against memory and brain decline as you get older.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and Minerals
Blackberry juice contains several essential vitamins and minerals that help support good health. The berries are high in vitamin C that helps prevent infection and supports immunity. Blackberry juice also contains beta-carotene, which your body needs to make enough vitamin A to protect your eyesight. Blackberry juice is high in potassium, vitamin E and selenium, all of which help support a healthy heart and body.
Inflammation Reduction and Prevention
Arthritis affects your ability to bend your limbs and use your joints, and often causes debilitating pain. Your doctor may prescribe medication for this painful condition. Blackberry juice may also effectively relieve some arthritis symptoms. The compounds in blackberry juice help reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis. Blackberry juice also has the potential to reduce inflammation in other parts of your body, including your lungs.
Medicinal Benefits
People have long used blackberries and their juice to treat a variety of illnesses and medical conditions, such as macular degeneration, cataracts and diarrhea. The same compounds in blackberries that offer protection against sickness may also treat other problems. Drinking blackberry juice may improve the appearance of varicose veins, for example. Blackberry juice may also neutralize free radicals and protect against environmental toxins.
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