Berries red and blue:
The healing powers of blueberries, elderberries and cranberries, but also of wine, are deeply rooted in folk medicine in Europe; their use has a long tradition.
The natural colorants in berries belong to the large group of polyphenols or tannins. Many herbal phenols are known as health-promoting substances, they are also known as phytamines in the field of naturopathic medicine.
Anthocyanins, the colour pigments in blue and red fruits, play a major role in this process and serve the plant as an effective defence mechanism against external pests. On the other hand, they also attract pollen-spreading insects and seed-spreading fruit-eaters as colouring and flavouring agents.
According to scientific studies, they are said to have protective effects against degenerative diseases of the cardiovascular system, joints, eyes, skin or kidneys. This is due to their antioxidant potential, i. e. the ability to bind free radicals in the body. Free radicals, which are produced by UV-, X-ray and radioactive radiation, by chemical substances as well as by many metabolic functions in the body, attack the body’s cells and cause diseases of various organs in addition to the natural ageing process and are also regarded as a triggering factor for cancer.
Berries are pure health
However, berries also have other healthy ingredients. Some of them contain a lot of pectin, which is healing and beneficial for the stomach and intestines. A high content of vitamin C is a known health factor that cannot be overestimated.
