In the month of spring that is March, the mulberry trees are laden with both reddish black and white fruits. These berries are filled with nutrients rich fluids. The fruits have short life and tend to fall to the ground as soon as you shake the branches. The season span is very small about 25 days.
There are many trees in the forest near our home where I go daily and enjoy the berries packed with nutrients picking directly from the branches.
The mulberry trees are related to the family of figs and bread fruit trees. The scientific name of the fruit is Morus Alba. In Asia, the trees are grown to provide leaves for Silkworms.
The popularity of the mulberries is increasing due to their sweet flavour, high nutritional composition which provide many health benefits.
Berries are mostly water. These provide only 60 calories in a cup containing 140 gram berries. Fresh mulberries consist of 9.8% carbohydrates which are mostly good sugars like glucose and fructose, but also contain some starch and fiber. Fiber is 75% insoluble in form.
The mulberries are a rich source of vitamin C, iron, vitamin K, Potassium and Vitamin E which is an antioxidant .
Other very important nutrients from the health point of view are Anthocyanin which prevents the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol. So it is good for heart health. Cyanidin is responsible for the purple colour in the berries.
Mulberries contain Rutin a powerful antioxidant which helps in combating heart ailments, cancer and diabetes. Similarly there is myricetin which also fights cancer.
In all, the mulberries are good for health yummy food provided by the nature.