The health benefits of blackberries
Rich in anthocyanins, vitamins and minerals, these deep purple berries are packed with nutrition. Discover what makes blackberries so good for you.
What are blackberries?
Blackberries are an edible fruit, commonly found in the UK from June until November, and they're often seen growing in forests and hedgerows. Each individual blackberry, when ripe, is made up of 20-50 single seeds known as drupelets that are small, juice-filled and a deep purplish black. Technically, they are an ‘aggregate fruit’ rather than a berry.
Nutritional benefits of blackberries
Blackberries contain a wide array of important nutrients including potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as vitamins A, C, E and most of our B vitamins. They are also a rich source of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that give blackberries their deep purple colour.
Around 10 blackberries count towards one of your five-a-day. Take a look at our infographic to find out what counts as 5-a-day.
Can blackberries protect against heart disease?
As well as being an excellent source of anthocyanins, one research study did show that a specific extract found in blackberry juice offered protective effects against heart disease.
Read more about what to eat for a healthy heart.
Can blackberries help prevent cancer?
While there is no single 'superfood' that can prevent cancer, and certain risk factors for cancer are unrelated to diet, there is evidence that eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of cancer. A study published by the Nutrition & Cancer Journal also found that certain fresh blackberry extracts may help to prevent tumour growth and spread of cancer, although more research is required.
What are blackberries?
Blackberries are an edible fruit, commonly found in the UK from June until November, and they're often seen growing in forests and hedgerows. Each individual blackberry, when ripe, is made up of 20-50 single seeds known as drupelets that are small, juice-filled and a deep purplish black. Technically, they are an ‘aggregate fruit’ rather than a berry.
Nutritional benefits of blackberries
Blackberries contain a wide array of important nutrients including potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as vitamins A, C, E and most of our B vitamins. They are also a rich source of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that give blackberries their deep purple colour.
Around 10 blackberries count towards one of your five-a-day. Take a look at our infographic to find out what counts as 5-a-day.
Can blackberries protect against heart disease?
As well as being an excellent source of anthocyanins, one research study did show that a specific extract found in blackberry juice offered protective effects against heart disease.
Read more about what to eat for a healthy heart.
Can blackberries help prevent cancer?
While there is no single 'superfood' that can prevent cancer, and certain risk factors for cancer are unrelated to diet, there is evidence that eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of cancer. A study published by the Nutrition & Cancer Journal also found that certain fresh blackberry extracts may help to prevent tumour growth and spread of cancer, although more research is required.