Missouri Ag Connection - Missouri's Berry Treasure is Healthy and Tasty

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Missouri's Berry Treasure is Healthy and Tasty
Missouri Ag Connection - 07/26/2017

Summer in Missouri means an abundance of berries like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, currants, blueberries, huckleberries, and more.

"Different varieties of these fruits can be harvested from mid-May through October in Missouri, offering us a spectacular opportunity to enjoy these delightful seasonal treasures," said Dr. Pam Duitsman, nutrition and health education specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

Berries, including their seeds, are good sources of fiber and are full of protective phytonutrients such as polyphenols along with high proportions of flavonoids including anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Berries contain natural antioxidants and are high in vitamin C; micronutrients such as folic acid and selenium; and are good sources of carotenoids.

In epidemiological and clinical studies, these phytonutrients within berries have been associated with prevention of cardiovascular risks and protection of cells from disease-causing free radicals.

"Some researchers suggest that a diet rich in these phytonutrients may help to fight cancer development, help to reduce blood cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation, and lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease," said Duitsman.

Additional studies have shown protective effects of eating various berries on age-related neurodegenerative diseases, and cognitive aging.

"While research continues to investigate all of these relationships between berries and better health, we enjoy excellent access to many of these sweet, juicy and refreshing natural treats right here in Missouri," said Duitsman.

Consider taking a family outing to one of the many you-pick berry farms in Missouri.

Use the University of Missouri Extensions Seasonal and Simple App to help find locations, dates and hours of operation and contact information.

The App is free, and can be downloaded for iPhone and Android in your App store, or more information can be found at missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut435.htm.

The App provides an excellent guide to finding, selecting, preparing and storing all sorts of Missouri's fresh fruits and vegetables right from the palm of your hand.

"If you decide to pick some of Missouri's wild edible berries, be sure to identify the berries before eating. Picking with someone experienced with wild edibles is a good idea, because they will be familiar with identification of safe berries, and locations to find them," said Duitsman.

Keep children close and educate them on what safe plants and berries look like. Duitsman says it is equally important to teach them the importance of not picking or eating fruits or berries from plants they do not know.

Discover ways to grow your own berries by visiting University of Missouri Extension's website at extension.missouri.edu.

Type the fruit you are interested in into the search bar to discover tips on site selection, soil health, and soil testing, growing tips, pest management, advice on how much fruit can be harvested per plant under typical Missouri conditions.

"Berries can be easy to grow, and offer us the opportunity for a natural, delicious, whole-foods approach to better health," said Duitsman.

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