 Health Benefits
Health benefits of eating soft fruit
Besides being delicious, berries are one of the best nutritional bargains around. Low in fat, carbohydrates, and calories, but high in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these delicious gems of flavour not only contribute to overall health, but may even help prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as slowing the aging process.
Basic berry nutrition
Berries are not only a good source of concentrated flavour, but are also great little packages of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. For example, a cup of sliced strawberries contains a whole day’s requirement for Vitamin C, while a cup of blackberries contain a day’s worth of manganese.
The same amount of raspberries supplies a third of our daily niacin needs. Blueberries and strawberries are also good sources of Vitamin E. In addition, berries contain between 4 and 9 grams of fibre per cup!
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Berries contain high levels of compounds which are thought to be protective against disease. They fit in well with the requirements of a healthy diet because they have low fat content, low levels of sodium and are high in vitamins, minerals and various phenolic compounds. Research has shown that many types of berries consistently contain some of the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit.
Benefits of feeding soft fruit to children
- Fantastic first food for babies: Berries are a fantastic first food for babies as they are sweet, soft, and quick to prepare, and full of nutrients and antioxidants.
- Enhance your children's brainpower: Children need folic acid for healthy brain development. High levels of this B vitamin can promote higher IQ, better memory function and enhance concentration. Too little folic acid in the body raises homocysteine levels. Of all the fruits, berries contain the highest levels of folic acid. One serving of strawberries (250g) contains 125mcg of folic acid, more than half the RDA.
- Give children extra energy: Babies and children need stamina to get the most out of life. Consistent energy levels can be achieved by feeding children foods with a low GL (glycemic load) rating which keeps blood sugar levels constant, avoiding the usual ‘quick burst of energy followed by burn-out' (usually accompanied by a tantrum). A large 300g punnet of berries has the same GL as one single date, ten raisins or one third of a banana.
- Improve your children's immunity: School children are exposed to many new viruses and illnesses. You can give their immune-system a boost and help them to fight off infection by feeding them berries. Packed with folic acid and vitamin C, berries have the highest antioxidant power of any fruit - five strawberries contain more antioxidant power than three apples or four bananas, and more vitamin C than an entire orange.
- Alleviate allergies: If your children suffer from eczema, asthma or hay fever try feeding them cranberries and strawberries as part of their daily diet. The high quercitin content in these berries can alleviate allergies, which would enable your child to be less reliant on anti-histamines, steroid creams and inhalers.
Blueberry benefits
Blueberries are one of the most potent antioxidant foods in the world. They contain a variety of powerful phytochemicals that can do wonders for your health. Antioxidants are responsible in part for keeping us healthy and young-looking – they have been shown to not only halt the ageing process but to actually reverse it! Blueberries have also been found to contain resveratrol, which is a potential anti-cancer agent.
Research has indicated that eating blueberries can improve short-term memory as well as enhance balance and co-ordination.
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