The next big health marvel: Mulberry tames cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer's and more

Saturday, November 02, 2013 by: Carolanne Wright
Tags: mulberry, health marvel, nutrient-dense foods

(NaturalNews) If you want to maintain a healthy heart, protect against cancer or avoid Parkinson's disease, look no further than mulberry. Poised to be the newest sensation in health-conscious crowds, both the leaf and berry of the mulberry tree tackle an impressive range of illness and disease. Tasty and nutrient-dense, the berries add a nice boost to the daily diet, while mulberry leaf tea enhances any healing protocol.

Health promoting merits

Learn more about these wonder berries (and leaves) with the following checklist of beneficial features:

• Mulberries are a terrific low-carbohydrate choice, sporting lower levels of sugar than other popular dried fruits - by about half.

• Need more fiber in your diet? Mulberries provide an impressive 20 percent of your daily requirement in only 1/3 of a cup.
  

• The berries are also a good source of protein, with 4 grams per serving.

• Research has shown that extracts of white mulberry inhibit both hepatitis C as well as HIV. [1][2]

• Due to notable levels of resveratrol, the berries possess anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. [3][4][5]

• Those concerned about Parkinson's or Alzheimer's can rest easy. Studies indicate that mulberries offer significant neuroprotective benefits. [6][7]

• Brimming with anthocyanins, mulberries ward off bacterial and viral infections, inflammation, cancer and diabetes. The fruit also shields against the effects of aging.

• Watching your weight? Water extracts of the berry have slimming anti-obesity attributes. [8]

• Blood sugar levels are tamed with mulberry too. Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is a potent glucosidase inhibitor found in mulberry leaves. Scientists believe DNJ markedly minimizes the risk of diabetes mellitus. [9]

Mulberries are also a nutritional powerhouse. Rich in vitamin B complex and vitamins C and K, as well as iron, potassium, manganese and magnesium, the berries help fortify against infectious disease and encourage stamina while regulating blood pressure and heart rate.

With such health-inspiring qualities, why not throw a handful of the dried berries into your trail mix or enjoy a steamy cup of mulberry tea? If you have access to a mulberry tree, all the better. The fresh berries make a tangy and delicious addition to smoothies, baked goods and breakfast cereals. In whatever way you savor mulberry, be assured that healthy vibrancy is soon to follow.

Sources:

1. Inhibition of HCV replicon cell growth by 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives isolated from Mori Cortex Radicis, Planta Med. 2007 Nov;73(14):1481-5. Epub 2007 Oct 18. PMID: 17948170. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://www.greenmedinfo.com

2. Anti-stress, anti-HIV and vitamin C-synergized radical scavenging activity of mulberry juice fractions. In Vivo. 2007 May-Jun;21(3):499-505. PMID: 17591360. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://www.greenmedinfo.com

3. Mulberry fruit (Moris fructus) extracts induce human glioma cell death in vitro through ROS dependent mitochondrial pathway and inhibits glioma tumor growth in vivo. Nutrition and Cancer, 2010. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://science.naturalnews.com

4. Resveratrol inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation through transcriptional induction of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1. J Surg Res. 2007 Apr;138(2):163-9. Epub 2007 Jan 25. PMID: 17257620. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://www.greenmedinfo.com

5. Mulberry leaves protect rat tissues from immobilization stress induced inflammation. BioFactors (Oxford, England) 2007. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://science.naturalnews.com

6. Mulberry fruit protects dopaminergic neurons in toxin induced Parkinson's disease models. The British Journal of Nutrition, 2010. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://science.naturalnews.com

7. Enhancement of neuroprotection of mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) prepared by the anaerobic treatment against ischemic damage. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin, 2006. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://science.naturalnews.com

8. Mulberry Water Extracts Possess an Anti obesity Effect and Ability To Inhibit Hepatic Lipogenesis and Promote Lipolysis. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2011. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://science.naturalnews.com

9. Food-grade mulberry powder enriched with 1-deoxynojirimycin suppresses the elevation of postprandial blood glucose in humans. Food & Biodynamic Chemistry Laboratory, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 981-8555, Japan. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peroxyl radical scavenging capacity, polyphenolics, and lipophilic antioxidant profiles of mulberry fruits cultivated in southern China. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2008. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from: http://science.naturalnews.com

"6 Health Benefits of Mulberries" Global Healing Center, March 27, 2013. Retrieved on October, 28, 2013 from: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com


About the author:
Carolanne believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, wellness coach and natural foods chef, she has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of green living for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people who share a similar vision.

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