8 Top Benefits Of Mulberries & How To Eat

Mulberries are a nutrient-dense fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support heart health, improve digestion, and boost the immune system. Their high antioxidant content helps reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and protect the eyes. Mulberries also aid in weight loss, improve metabolism, and slow down the aging process.

What are Mulberries?

Mulberries are the sweet, hanging fruits from a genus of deciduous trees that grow in a variety of temperate areas around the world. Thought to possibly have originated in China, they have spread throughout the world and are highly praised for their unique flavor and impressive composition of nutrients. Most varieties found in different parts of the world are considered to be “native” from those areas, as they are widespread. The scientific name of mulberry varies depending on which species you are looking at, the most common types are Morus alba (white mulberry), Morus australis (Chinese mulberry), Morus rubra (red berry), and Morus nigra (blackberry), but there are other delicious varieties as well. In terms of appearance, the berries grow very fast when they are young but gradually slow as their color changes from white or green to pink or red, and eventually settling on dark purple or even black. ^[1]

Are Mulberries Edible?

Mulberries are best eaten fresh, plucked from the plant. Make sure you don’t eat the greenish berries as they are still raw – they have a laxative effect. If you want to store mulberries, you can refrigerate them for a couple of days. Place them on a plate covered with a paper towel. It is best to wash them just before you eat them to avoid spoilage.

The sweet or tart flavor makes these berries ideal for sherbets, jams, jellies, fruit tarts, pies, wines, teas, and cordials. In certain areas of the world, the flavors of the mulberry varieties differ, but the American mulberry and the black mulberry are considered to have the most powerful flavor and are widely sought after. Interestingly, the mulberry tree has another important resource, besides providing people with delicious berries and that is its leaves. The mulberry leaves are also the only known food source for silkworms.

Fresh mulberries have a sweet and tart flavor. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Nutritional Value

Mulberries are filled with nutrients that are important for our body, possibly including iron, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. They may also contain a significant amount of dietary fiber and a wide range of organic compounds, which may include phytonutrients, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, anthocyanins, lutein, and various polyphenolic compounds. According to the USDA, a cup of raw mulberries can have 60 calories, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of protein. It is also high in water content (over 70 percent). ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Health Benefits

Let’s explore what is packed inside these berries that make them so important.

May Aid in Digestion

Like the majority of fruits and vegetables, mulberries may contain dietary fiber, which makes approximately 10% of your daily requirements in a single serving. Dietary fiber can help to improve digestion by bulking up the stool, thereby speeding up the movement of food through the digestive tract, while also possibly reducing occurrences of constipation, bloating, and cramping. Furthermore, fiber may help to regulate cholesterol levels and might improve heart health when regularly added to the diet. ^[6]

Might Help Increase Circulation

The high levels of iron content in mulberries might significantly boost the production of red blood cells. This means that the body might increase its distribution of oxygen to important tissues and organs, thereby possibly helping to boost metabolism and optimize the functionality of those systems. ^[7]

Can Aid in Regulating Blood Pressure

Resveratrol is a very important flavonoid that can directly affect the functioning of certain mechanisms in blood vessels, primarily making them possibly less prone to damage by angiotensin, which can cause blood vessel constriction. Resveratrol may increase the production of nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator. This means that it relaxes blood vessels and may reduce the chances of blood clot formation and subsequent heart issues like strokes or heart attacks. Resveratrol can be found in many dark-skinned berries like mulberries, including most grapes, which is why this beneficial antioxidant is also found in wines. ^[8]

May Improve Vision

One of the carotenoids found in mulberries is zeaxanthin, which may have been connected directly to a reduction in oxidative stress on certain ocular cells, including the retinal macula lutea. Furthermore, zeaxanthin can function as an antioxidant and prevents certain damage to the retina, including the free radicals that can cause macular degeneration and cataracts. In traditional Chinese medicine, mulberry tea is often prescribed to improve eyesight. ^{[9] [10]}

Potentially Anti-inflammatory

Research shows that mulberry leaves may have anti-inflammatory properties, which can cut off the body’s inflammatory response to chronic diseases. The study also shows that mulberry leaf tea can be used to reduce inflammatory pain. ^[11]

May Boost Immunity

Vitamin C is a powerful defensive weapon against any illness or foreign pathogens in the body that antioxidants don’t take care of. A single serving of mulberries might fulfill the entire requirement of vitamin C for the day, but combine that with the minerals and vitamins present in this fruit, and you may have a true weapon against illness. Try adding mulberries to your smoothies and salads to raise your immunity levels. ^{[12] [13]}

Might Help Build Healthy Bones

Vitamin K, calcium, and iron, as well as the trace amounts of phosphorus and magnesium that may be found in mulberries, can all be beneficial for the creation and maintenance of bone tissue. As we get older, maintaining strong bones, speeding up the healing process, or even reversing the damage of bone degradation can be important to prevent conditions like osteoporosis or other age-related bone disorders. ^{[14] [15]}

Can Help Reduce Bad Cholesterol

Regular intake of mulberry leaf powder and mulberry leaf tea may significantly reduce triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. This may result in the prevention of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. ^[16]

May Help Prevent Premature Aging

Mulberries might also boast a high level of vitamin A and vitamin E, along with a range of carotenoid components like lutein, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and alpha-carotene. All of these elements act may act as antioxidants that specifically affect the skin, tissue, hair, and other areas of the body where free radicals strike. Mulberries can aid in skincare, may reduce the appearance of blemishes and age spots, and might keep the hair shiny and healthy by preventing the oxidative actions of free radicals. ^[17]

How To Eat Mulberries?

These berries are delicious as a snack but if you want to enjoy them in different ways, here are our suggestions:

• Smoothies: Make a simple mulberry smoothie with berries, yogurt, honey, and vanilla powder/essence.
• Mulberry juice: This antioxidant-rich juice can be downed in no time. You can freeze them for juices and smoothies.
• Baked tarts: Bake mulberries into a pie or a crumble.
• Breakfast & salads: Serve it with pancakes and whipped cream, or add it to granola, porridge, or salads.
• Jam: You can make a simple jam with sugar and lemon juice.

Word of Caution: Mulberries might be very good at lowering blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for particular people, but also very dangerous for others. Also, there are rare cases of allergies to the mulberry, so use them in moderation and monitor your body’s reaction if you are eating them for the first time.