Aronia, inca and maqui berries, to be the picture of health

Dried, squeezed or in supplement form, these berries contain a wide array of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients.

Aronia berries

Aronia, a shrub in the family Rosaceae, is native to North America. Its berries, which look like blackberries but have a sourer taste, ripen in the autumn, but are collected after a while in order for their taste to be sweeter.

 

Since they’re high in anthocyanins and carotenoids, aronia berries are considered powerful antioxidants that can tackle cellular ageing and body degeneration related to ageing and chronic diseases like diabetes.

 

They contain many types of vitamins, including vitamin K, which is useful in the blood coagulation process and make your bone healthier; and vitamin C that has antioxidant properties, strengthen the immune system and promotes collagen production, a protein found in connective tissue. Aronia berries are also a great source of mineral salts like manganese and iron.

 

aronia berries branch
A branch full of Aronia berries.

 

These berries also have cholesterol-lowering and hypoglycemic properties in type two diabetes and help overweight and obese people since they reduce belly fat. Naturally rich in fibers, aronia berries are also effective in treating constipation and have anti-inflammatory and tonic-stimulant properties: that’s why they’re recommended during convalescence, conditions of psycho-physical stress, fatigue and debilitating diseases.

 

The juice of this fruit has a very pleasant taste and taking 100ml of it every day is a panacea for your health. Dried berries are excellent too and can be eaten as a snack or infused in water.

 

Maqui berries

Maqui is an evergreen shrub endemic to South America prospering in Patagonia’s dense vegetation in extreme climatic conditions and growing up to 4/5 metres tall. Its berries ripen in December but can be picked up until March.

 

In Chile people adore these berries and exactly with them they produce a liquor called Chicha much appreciated by indigenous peoples.

 

maqui powder supplements
Maqui powder used to prepare supplements.

 

Maqui berries are deep blue, have a very sweet taste and resemble blueberries. Their dimension varies from as small as a pea to as big as an olive. They’re very high in anthocyanins and delphinidins and for this reason they’re considered one of the most powerful antioxidants and one of the best ingredients that can protect the cardiovascular system. They’re antibacterial, tonic and astringent – so they’re useful in case of dysentery – as well as analgesic and anticancer products. Its leaves also prevent inflammation.

 

Their juice is extremely good and they can be consumed in jam form or dried to infuse in hot water. You can find Maqui supplements in supermarkets that meet every therapeutic need depending on their dosages (from 25/50 mg to 250 mg per day).

 

Inca berries

Another ingredient native to South America are Inca berries or golden berries or Physalis berries, precious antioxidant fruits that have a wide array of important beneficial properties. They have a bittersweet taste and they’re very rich in fibres and pectins and for this reason they can restore your regularity both in case of constipation or dysentery. Beta-carotene, on the other hand, functions as an antioxidant.

 

inca berries
Inca berries before the harvest

 

Besides containing mineral salts like phosphorus, iron and potassium, traces of melatonin were also found in these fruits. Moreover, they’re very high in carbohydrates: for this reason they’re very energising and particularly suitable to those who do a lot of physical activity. Since Inca berries also supply essential proteins, they’re also considered a perfect ingredient in vegetarian and vegan diets.

 

A fruit if the Solanaceae family, this light orange berry is found within a red papery covering and after being gathered, it is sun dried. This drying process allows to preserve the fruit for longer periods.

 

They can be eaten in dried form as a snack, but can also be employed to prepare sweets, salads or they can be added to yogurt for a full breakfast.

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