Refreshingly succulent, tart and sweet mulberries are indeed rich in numerous health benefiting flavonoid phyto-nutrients. Botanically, they are the berries obtained from the silkworm tree belonging to the Moraceae family, within the genus: Morus. Scientific name: Morus nigra. L. In Spanish, they are known as moras.

More than hundred species of morus exist. In taxonomy, species generally are identified not by the colour of their fruits (berries) but by the colour of flower buds, and leaves. So, a morus plant can exhibit different colour berries (black, purple, red, white, etc.) in the same plant.
 Three species have been recognized for their economic importance.

White mulberry (Morus alba) is native to eastern and central China.

Red or American mulberry (Morus rubra) is native to eastern United States.

Black mulberry (Morus nigra) is native to western Asia.

Mulberries are large, deciduous trees native to warm, temperate, and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Technically, the mulberry fruit is an aggregation of small fruits arranged concentrically around the central axis as in blackberry or loganberries. Each fruit measures 2-5 cm long. In most species, mulberries are purple-red when ripen; however, they can be white, red, purple or multiple variegated colours in the same fruit.

Health benefits

Delicious,fleshy, succulent mulberries are less in calories (just 43 calories per 100 g). They compose of health promoting phyto-nutrient compounds like polyphenol pigment antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.

Mulberries have significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Scientific studies have shown that consumption of berries have potential health effects against cancer, aging and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections.

The berries contain resveratrol, another polyphenol flavonoid antioxidant. Resveratrol protects against stroke risk by altering molecular mechanisms in the blood vessels; reducing their susceptibility to damage through reduced activity of angiotensin (a systemic hormone causing blood vessel constriction that would elevate blood pressure) but potentiating production of the vasodilator hormone, nitric oxide.

In addition, these berries are an excellent source of vitamin-C (36.4 mg per 100, about 61% of RDI), which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.

Further, the berries also contain small amounts of vitamin A, and vitamin E, in addition to the above-mentioned antioxidants. Consumption of mulberry provides another group of health promoting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea-xanthin, ß-carotene and α-carotene in small but notably significant amounts. Altogether, these compounds help act as protect from harmful effects of oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.

Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively concentrates into the retinal macula lutea, where it thought to provide antioxidant functions and protects the retina from the harmful ultraviolet rays through light-filtering actions.

Mulberries are an excellent source of iron, which is a rare feature among berries, contain 1.85 mg/100 g of fruits (about 23% of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

They also good source of minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins and vitamin K. Contain very good amounts of vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin and folic acid. These vitamins are function as co-factors and help body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and fats.

Digestive Health: Like the majority of fruits and vegetables, mulberries contain dietary fibre, approximately 10% of your daily requirements in a single serving, in fact. Dietary fibre can help to improve digestive health by bulking up stool, thereby speeding up the movement of food through the digestive tract, while also reducing occurrences of constipation, bloating, and cramping. Furthermore, fibre helps to regulate cholesterol levels and can boost heart health when regularly added to the diet.

Circulation: The high levels of iron contains in mulberries, which is a very unusual mineral for fruits to contain, can significantly boost the body’s production of red blood cells. This means that the body will increase its distribution of oxygen to important tissues and organ systems, thereby helping to boost metabolism and optimize functionality of those systems.

Blood Pressure and Heart Health: Resveratrol is a very important flavonoid antioxidant that directly affects the functioning of certain mechanisms in blood vessels, primarily making them less prone to damage by angiotensin, which can cause blood vessel constriction. In fact, resveratrol increases the production of nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator, meaning that it relaxes blood vessels and reduces chances of blood clot formation and subsequent heart issues like strokes or heart attacks. Resveratrol is found in many dark-skinned berries like mulberries, including most grapes, which is why this beneficial antioxidant is also found in many wines.

Cancer Prevention: Between the high content of anthocyanins, vitamin C, vitamin A, and various other polyphenolic and phytonutrient compounds, mulberries are absolutely packed with antioxidant potential. Antioxidants are the main line of defence against free radicals, which form as a dangerous by-product of cellular metabolism and can damage healthy cells, causing them to mutate into cancerous cells. The diverse range of antioxidants found in mulberries means that they can neutralize these free radicals quickly, before too much damage is done.

Vision Health: One of the carotenoids found in mulberries is zea-xanthin, which has been connected directly to a reduction in oxidative stress on certain ocular cells, including the retina macula lutea. Furthermore, zea-xanthin functions as an antioxidant and prevents certain damage to the retina, including from free radicals that can cause macular degeneration and cataracts.

 Immune System: Vitamin C is a powerful defensive weapon against any illnesses or foreign pathogens in the body that antioxidants don’t take care of. A single serving of mulberries is almost the entire requirement of vitamin C for the day, but combine that with the minerals and vitamins that are in this fruit, and you have a true weapon against illness. Add a few mulberries to your morning and watch your immune system health soar!

Build Bone Tissue: Vitamin K, calcium, and iron, as well as the trace amounts of phosphorous and magnesium found in mulberries, can all be beneficial for the creation and maintenance of bone tissue. As we get older, maintaining strong bones, speeding up the healing process, or even reversing the damage of bone degradation is important to prevent conditions like osteoporosis or other age-related bone disorders.

Antioxidants and Premature Aging: Mulberries also boast a high level of vitamin A and vitamin E, as along with a range of carotenoid components like lutein, beta carotene, zea-xanthin, and alpha carotene. All of these elements act as antioxidants that specifically affect the skin, tissue, hair, and other areas of the body where free radicals strike. Mulberries can help keep skin looking smooth, reduce the appearance of blemishes and age spots, and keep hair shiny and healthy by preventing the oxidative actions of free radicals.

A Final Word of Caution: Some mulberries are very good at lowering blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for some, but also very dangerous for others. Also, there are rare cases of allergies to mulberry, so use them in moderation and monitor your body’s reaction if eating them for the first time!