Featured today on Fiber Focus Friday is the boundless blackberry. The blackberry is delicious and nutritious, and it is a great fruit to add to your diet. It lands here on Fiber Focus Friday because of its amazing health benefits, and the fact that it is of course, high in fiber.
As always, please comment with any questions or suggestions for future foods to be featured on Fiber Focus Friday!
Lets delve right in and see what this awesome fruit has to offer!
The Blackberry Quick Fact Card
Types of Blackberries
There are several different types of blackberries and most are considered hybrid varieties. These varieties include:
- Boysenberries – This is a large reddish purple blackberry that was developed by a farmer named Boysen.
- Loganberries – These blackberries are large, dark red & very tart. They were created by a man named Logan in the 19th century.
- Marionberries – Large flavorful & round blackberries.
- Youngberry – A berry that is very similar to the Loganberry.
- Ollalieberries – This berry is a cross between a loganberry & a youngberry.
Where Do Blackberries Come From?
Originally from Asia, the blackberry was brought to the United States from Europe in the 1800’s. Now you can find blackberries in any grocery store near you. If you can’t find them fresh, you’ll be sure to find them in the frozen section.
Growing Blackberries
Blackberries are actually a low-maintenance, easy to grow fruit. However they grow on thorny vines and can end up being a bloody battle. If you know what you are doing, you can surely grow them at home if you have the patience! For more on growing blackberries check out this link.
How Much Fiber in Blackberries?
Blackberries pack a whooping 8 grams of fiber per cup. Whether you’re throwing them in a smoothie, adding them to a bowl of cereal or just eating them out of the carton, blackberries are a great way to meet your daily fiber goals.
Health Benefits of Blackberries
Along with being high in fiber, blackberries also have a number of other health benefits. Blackberry health benefits include:
- Blackberries are great for losing weight because of their low calorie content, but they also provide a good amount of energy.
- Due to the number of antioxidants in blackberries heart function is improved from eating these regularly.
- Motor and cognitive skills are improved from eating blackberries.
- Since blackberries contain gallic acid, routin, and ellagic acid they have been shown to have anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial properties.
- Blackberries are high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids which gives your immune system a significant boost.
- Blackberries can aid in Irritbale Bowel related symptoms such as intestinal inflammation, hemorrhoids, and diarrhea.
Fun Facts About Blackberries
- Blackberries are low in calories but high in fiber as well as anti-oxidants.
- The blackberry leaf was used as a hair dye.
- Blackberries are a relative of the rose.
- The best temperature for blackberries to grow in is 80-85 degrees.
- Blackberry plants are considered a “bramble” crop due to the thorns that cover the bush.
- In Australia blackberries are actually known as a weed.
How Do I Eat a Blackberries?
I love to add blackberries to smoothies, or make them into a sauce to poor onto desserts! I truthfully do not have them that often, but when I do, I definitely enjoy eating this tasty berry!
Other Awesome Blackberry Recipes Include:
Final Thoughts on Blackberries
-Jordan
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