World’s Best Berries | Healthiest Berries

Berries are little, mighty bursts of nutrition-packed flavour—cultivated worldwide.

Berries are a culinary and nutrition stable around the globe, and with countless types of berries with ranging health benefits, berries are pretty great. There are so many terrific berry options that it can be difficult to choose which berries to pick up at the grocery store. Luckily, there are several berries that stand out amongst the rest. Here are some of the world’s healthiest berries and their benefits:

Benefits of Acai
The acai berry flourishes on tall, thin palm trees near the basin of the Amazon Region in South America. Amazon natives have long eaten and made acai juice for its bold, unique flavour and noticeable health benefits, including energy and immunity boosts.

Within the last decade, the benefits of acai berries have rapidly gained recognition and praise for their complex nutritional makeup, along with rich, berry flavour with notes of chocolate. The exotic acai berry has even received credit for instilling the recongisable health and vitality in the Amazon dwellers.

How To Eat Acai:
Acai berries taste great and can be easily eaten on their own by the handful. Acai juice has been long consumed by Brazilin natives and is still popular today. Acai berries are also a popular addition to smoothies and fruit bowls—bringing an exotic flavour and powerful nutrients. You can also buy an acai supplement in a capsule or powder form to conveniently reap the nutritional benefits. Whether you’re eating acai fresh or taking an acai supplement, you’re bound to enjoy many nutritional benefits.

Benefits of Blueberries
North Americans have cultivated blueberries for hundreds of years. Native Americans used to pick the dark blue, small berry and would eat the berries year-round for its pleasant taste and health-boosting properties. Folklore developed around the benefits of blueberries and eventually coined the name “star berries.” [1]

These berries are packed with vitamin C, manganese, fiber and antioxidants that promote healthy ageing, digestion and immunity. The potent amount of flavonoids, which contain antioxidant powers, in blueberries support an overall healthy body and mind, while providing a burst of natural energy.

How To Eat Blueberries:
Blueberries hold a flavour that’s easily recongisable to most individuals. The sweet, semi-tart berry tastes great as a solo dish, or makes a terrific addition to a, smoothie, breakfast recipe, dessert, or beverage. Because of blueberry’s popular health benefits, you can now buy blueberries in a powder of pill form for convenient consumption of its diverse nutrients.

Benefits of Bilberries
Bilberries grow on short shrubs native to northern Europe, North American, and Asia and have been long cherished for its sweet taste and health benefits. These dark bluish-black berries are rich in anthocyanins, which are powerful ingredients that give bilberries its dark pigment and antioxidant makeup. [2] Bilberries anthocyanin makeup helps the body normally defend itself from oxidative stress, and has a strong reputation for promoting healthy eyes. The benefits of bilberries strongly nourish the eyes, skin and overall vitality.

Bilberries received its eye health-promoting reputation after British pilots found their nighttime eyesight had improved after eating bilberry jam during World War II. The anthocyanins in bilberries may help strengthen the retina and blood vessels in the eyes.

How To Eat Bilberries:
Bilberries are most commonly consumed in a pill, powder or dried form. Fresh bilberries taste similar to blueberries and may be easily added to a smoothie or fruit dish, but many individuals prefer to get the many benefits from a bilberry supplement.

Benefits of Cranberries
Cranberries are native to North America and have been used for hundreds of years for both its health and culinary benefits. It’s believed that American mariners used to carry large amounts of cranberries on their voyages to help prevent scurvy. [3] Cranberries are naturally high in vitamin C, fiber, essential minerals and antioxidants—making cranberries effective immune and energy boosters.

Cranberry’s rich, acidic and nutritious makeup not only promotes overall health and vitality, but the benefits of cranberries have earned the reputation for supporting urinary tract health. The nutrient profile of cranberries helps flush out bacteria in the urinary tract.

Benefits of Raspberries
Raspberries, first discovered in Greece on Mount Ida, quickly became a culinary staple in Europe. [4] Raspberry bushes flourish in Atlantic climates and have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties and pleasant taste.

Raspberries are packed with vitamin C, essential minerals, folic acid and antioxidants. The benefits of raspberries support energy levels, immune system health, radiant skin, and overall wellbeing, while being a deliciously sweet, slightly tart snack.

How To Eat Raspberries:
Given that raspberries are one of the most popular berries eaten worldwide, one can only imagine the endless ways to consume raspberries. Raspberries are delicious eaten alone, added to a dessert or breakfast dish, or even added to beverages. The berries have become so recongised for their vast health benefits that raspberry ketone supplements and red raspberry leaves supplements are available to conveniently deliver nutrients to targeted bodily systems.

Benefits of Goldenberries
Goldenberries, commonly called Pichuberries, are native to the mountainous regions of Peru. Goldenberries have been largely cherished and cultivated in the kitchen due to its sweet, bold citrus flavour for centuries. No only do these exotic berries pack a flavourful punch, but the Peruvian superfood also contains many health benefits.

Goldenberries are an excellent source of fiber and pectin, making the exotic berry supportive of digestive health. Also containing significant amounts of vitamin A and C, the benefits of goldenberries promote immune system wellbeing while providing powerful, protective antioxidants.

How To Eat Goldenberries:
Goldenberries are most commonly eaten fresh or dried. The Peruvian berries have a sweet and tart taste that is delicious, fresh or dried, and added to a recipe or eaten alone. Goldenberries benefits can also be found in a goldenberry supplement in a capsule or pill form for convenient consumption.

References:
1. Council, B. (2014, December 30). About Blueberries. Retrieved April 20, 2015, from U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

2. Chu Wing-kwan, S. C. (2011). Chapter 4 Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.

3. Association, C. C. (2015, April). History of Cranberries. Retrieved April 20, 2015, from Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association

4. Botanical Online. (2015, April). Raspberry Plant (Rubus idaeus). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from Botanical Online