Honeyberries (also known as Lonicera caerulea, honey berry, sweetberry honeysuckle, blue honeysuckle, fly honeysuckle, or blue-berried honeysuckle) are one of the few fruits that are native to North America, found in abundance in Alaska, Canada, and all across the northern U.S., stretching as far south as Florida and Texas.
These small berries, which look like raspberries but taste like honey, have many health benefits and also provide a good source of vitamins A and C - though they don't taste as sweet as you might expect!
Let's take a closer look at these tiny fruits with big health benefits.
What is honeyberry?
Honeyberry is a type of berry that is found in Asia, Europe and North America. Honeyberries are known to have a distinctive honey-flavor, which comes from their high fructose content. They can be eaten raw or cooked and they are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins A and C and manganese.
Honeyberries also contain potassium, calcium and iron. They are easy to grow and will bear fruit for up to six years if cared for properly. It takes about five pounds of honeyberries produce one pound of dried fruit.
Nutritional value of honeyberry:
Honeyberries are small in size, with an oval shape and dark purple exterior. One serving of honeyberries provides you with a lot of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, calcium, and potassium.
Honeyberries also have antioxidants which can help reduce free radicals in your body and may protect cells from DNA damage. The antioxidant levels in honeyberries are comparable to those found in blueberries.
Benefits of honeyberry:
Health benefits are just one of the many reasons why honeyberries are a great addition to your daily diet. Honeyberries have a low glycemic index, which means they're less likely to cause spikes in your blood sugar levels. This is great for people with diabetes, who often struggle with balancing their blood sugar levels and keeping them within normal ranges.
In addition, some studies have shown that honeyberries may have benefits for those who suffer from diabetes. Diabetics often have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels because of a problem with the body's insulin production. Studies on diabetic mice showed that eating just one teaspoon of honeyberry extract per day significantly reduced their blood glucose level after 12 weeks.
Additionally, honeyberry contains a good amount of vitamin C and antioxidants that can be beneficial for the immune system. Studies show that consuming antioxidant rich foods may reduce your risk of developing certain cancers such as breast cancer and lung cancer by up to 50%.
Honeyberry offers an increase in energy levels. Honeyberries contain natural sugars that provide a quick boost of energy without the crash and jitters associated with caffeinated drinks or sugary snacks. A lack of these antioxidants can lead to age-related diseases.
The antioxidants found in honeyberries have also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol.
They do this by removing excess cholesterol from the blood stream and sending it out through urine.
A study published by Nutrition Journal showed that those who ate berries on a regular basis had improved insulin sensitivity and decreased fasting glucose. They also found that over time, higher intake of fruits lowered the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
As far as side effects go, some people report having an allergic reaction or increased gas after eating honeyberries. However, these side effects are very rare so don't let it deter you from trying this natural treat!
If you experience any negative reactions, discontinue use immediately. You'll find that honeyberries are high in fiber which will help keep your digestive tract healthy and happy!
On top of being a great snack option, honeyberries have been used medicinally since ancient times. The Greeks would feed honeyberries to mothers postpartum due to its laxative properties. In modern day Greece, women eat honeyberries during menstruation because of their anti-inflammatory qualities.
Other cultures even use honeyberries as treatments for eczema and allergies because of the fruit's richness in essential fatty acids. For all these reasons and more, we believe that everyone should try adding a little bit of nature's sweet treat into their diet!
Side effects of honeyberry:
The only side effects that have been reported are mild stomach discomfort and diarrhea. However, if you have ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or another type of inflammatory bowel disease, you should consult with your doctor before eating honeyberries because they may worsen symptoms.
Honeyberries can also interact with other drugs and medicines, so talk to your pharmacist or doctor before adding them into your diet.
Conclusion
Honey berries can be used in many ways but the most common is simply eating them fresh as a tasty snack! Of course, it is always recommended that you talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet, but incorporating honeyberries into your diet can help with a variety of issues.
There are many benefits to eating honeyberries, from their high nutritional value to their cancer-fighting properties. If you're looking for a sweet treat with more benefits than sugar, this is the fruit for you.
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