Last Updated on January 15, 2019 by Marc Seward
Have you ever had the pleasure of eating a golden berry? This marble-like fruit is full of surprises. For one, it’s not actually a part of the berry family but instead belongs to the tomato family, a close relative of the tomatillo.
For centuries, this Peruvian fruit has been valued around the world for its medicinal properties. Slowly catching on in the United States, people are finding many ways to incorporate this tart, yet sweet golden fruit into their healthy diet.
Nutritional Value
Aguaymanto, harankash, Aztec berry, poha… depending on your locale, golden berries may go by a different name. Although small, golden berries are packed with nutrients. Adding golden berries to a balanced diet is a great way to boost your intake of nutrients essential for optimal health.
Antioxidants
Loaded with antioxidants, golden berries are a great way to help stave off cellular damage caused by free radicals. Damage caused by free radicals may lead to inflammation, hypertension, and even the development of cancer.
Vitamins
Looking for an easy way to supplement your vitamin intake? Golden berries contain vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, E, and K1. Golden berries are especially a great source of vitamin A. It’s important to get enough vitamin A as they provide support for your eyes and skin.
Fiber
Incorporating golden berries into your diet is great for your digestion while maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. A single ounce of golden berries provides you with 3 grams of fiber. Getting enough fiber can also help with your weight loss routine.
Fiber slowly digests in your system, making you feel full longer and therefore preventing overeating. Fiber also helps to bulk up your stools, creating healthy and regular movement.
Fatty Acids
There are good fats and bad fats; fortunately, golden berries are chock full of the good fats. Rich in linoleic and oleic acid, golden berries help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Low in Calories
Golden berries are a delicious, low calorie snack. These delightful little berries only contain around 50 calories per serving. Munching on a 100 grams of golden berries is a great way to get essential vitamins and nutrients while keeping your calorie intake in check.
Benefits of Golden Berries
This nutrient-dense fruit has a wealth of healthy benefits. From reducing inflammation to diabetes management, there are several ways incorporating golden berries into your diet can help improve your health.
Anti-inflammatory
One of the major benefits of consuming golden berries is its high anti-oxidant content, which helps to reduce painful inflammation. Those that suffer from achy muscles, and arthritis will find supplemental pain relief with golden berries.
Heart Health
Golden berries help to protect your cardiovascular system by reducing symptoms of hypertension while lowering blood pressure. Regularly consuming golden berries helps to decrease the strain placed on your cardiovascular system, therefore preventing the development of heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Eye Health
As previously mentioned, regularly consuming golden berries helps to protect your vision due to its high content of vitamin A. Golden berries also contain carotenoids, which helps prevent the development of cataracts and macular degeneration, which tends to happen with old age.
Boosts Immune System
Rich in vitamin C, one serving of golden berries significantly improves the body’s ability to produce white blood cells. Getting enough vitamin C also helps improve the appearance of the skin, helping the body to regenerate collagen, a primary component of maintaining a healthy complexion.
Vitamin C is also great for maintaining the health of organs, tissues, cells, and blood vessels.
Maintains Health Blood Sugar Levels
Those looking for help in diabetes management or even just maintaining healthy glucose levels should consider adding golden berries to their diet. Golden berries contain compounds that help to metabolize simple sugars from carbs.
This ensures that the blood stream is not overwhelmed with sugar, therefore maintaining healthy insulin levels. Regularly consuming golden berries is a great way to help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes.
Healthy Liver and Kidneys
Although its still being researched, some evidence indicates that consuming golden berries may be beneficial to the health of your liver and kidneys. Some evidence indicates that golden berries may prevent the scarring of your liver tissue, which is essential to the detoxifying process of your body.
Golden berries are also believed to be good for the kidneys, helping to flush out toxins by encouraging the production and release of urine.
A Few Considerations and Potential Side Effects
Although consuming golden berries is generally safe, there are a few things that you should be aware of. First of all, eating unripe golden berries may be poisonous, so if you come across them in the wild, please refrain from eating them right away.
Also, there is potential for an allergic reaction, so if you are allergic to other berries, consult your physician before consuming.
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