Mulberries

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. In spanish, they are known as moras. More than hundred species of morus exist. In taxonomy, species generally are identified not by the color of their fruits (berries) but by the color of flower buds, and leaves. So, aamorus plant can exhibit different color berries (black, purple, red, white, etc.) in the same plant.

A white mulberryaplant can have different color fruits.

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 colors in the same fruit.

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.