As a child, I didn’t know about blackberries nutrition. I only knew that I loved blackberries. They were delicious right off the vine but really loved them with cream and sugar or in blackberry pies.

One of my favorite childhood memories is that of waking up early on summer mornings before the sun’s rays brought scorching heat to my mid-century Louisiana neighborhood, grabbing my metal pail, and rushing out the front door to meet friends at the blackberry patch. The patches of plump, luscious blackberries were scattered among knee-high weeds and brambles in a large, vacant field. My pals and I would race through the field to see whose bucket got full first. Then we strolled back home, enjoying the delicious fruits of our labor.

Many changes have taken place since those childhood summers. One thing that remains the same, however, is blackberries nutrition.

Blackberries are ranked #1 in antioxidant content per serving out of 1500 fresh and prepared foods. These findings were the result of a study by US and Norwegian researchers and published in the July 2006 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The medical community bombards us with the importance of eating foods high in antioxidants, and rightly so. The reason is because your entire body is adversely affected by the constant natural oxidation process going on inside it. This oxidation process contributes to the aging of your tissues and many degenerative illnesses such as cancer, dementia, and damage to your arteries.

Blackberries nutrition supplies your body with phytonutrients, a good chemical inside the berries that fights the harmful oxidation process. The beneficial phytonutrients contained in blackberries produce antioxidants that boost your immune system, enabling it to battle inflammation in your body and also provide antiviral and antibacterial protection.

In addition, a powerful antioxidant called anthocyanin assists in protecting your brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The scientific article mentioned above from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition continues to explain that increasing your intake of antioxidants from foods such as blackberries can reduce your risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, ulcers, and diabetes.

Blackberries are high in vitamins C and E and also contain salicylate, a natural pain reliever. In addition, blackberries are loaded with manganese which builds strong bones, providing protection against osteoporosis.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh attributes blackberries nutrition to fighting cancer in a powerful way. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, reveals that the blackberry produces a specific anthocyanidin, obtained from the pigment of the plant, which actually kills cancer cells. The study cites that blackberries nutrition is actually 40% more effective than other berries in killing leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Weight control is an important goal for good health. A food that can be indulged in with no guilt is the delicious blackberry. A cup of these sweet, juicy berries contains only about 70 calories; is high in dietary fiber; and contains less than 1 gram of fat. Pectin in blackberries helps stabilize blood sugar, shielding your digestive system against high calorie cravings.

With proper nutrition and care, your body can serve you well for many years. Blackberries nutrition is worth considering as a regular component of a healthy diet.