Mulberry

Mulberry tree is a medium sized, deciduous tree which grows fast when young and grows into a lush tree. Mulberry has oval leaves with irregular edges. Bright green leaves change into yellow during the Autumn season.The leaves are the favorite food of silkworms.

Mulberry flowers are clustered appearing on new growth of the tree. From the flowers come clustered fruit that resemble blackberries, ripening to a deep red, purple or white, depending upon the variety. The fruit grows in bunches and are 2-3 cm long.
Mulberry is known as Shahtoot in Hindi. It’s botanical name is Morus alba which belongs to Moraceae family.

Nutritional Content –
Mulberry fruit is a rich source of vitamins C, A, E and K. It also provides other essential nutrients like Potassium, Iron and Magnesium. Mulberries, like most berries, are chockful with important nutrients, polyphenols, anthocyanins, and other antioxidants.

Parts Used & Preparations –
It is not just the mulberry fruit that you can eat.The leaves, bark, and stem of the plant can also be made into edible items.

You can either eat the mulberry fruit raw, or dry and eat them as an energy snack by mixing it with mashed bananas or other dry fruits. Or, you can make mulberry juice and down it in no time.

You can also make tonics and syrups with mulberries and consume it regularly to benefit from its goodness.

You can also dry the mulberry leaves and make tea with them. Mulberry tea is as beneficial as eating the raw mulberries.

Benefits –
•  Heart Health
Mulberry fruits are rich in antioxidants that aid in the proper functioning of the blood vessels. A better blood flow from the heart to other parts of the body helps to manage and control blood pressure. It also helps reduce cholesterol levels which are important for heart function.
•  Healthy Vision
This fruit contains a carotenoid called zeaxanthin, which is connected directly to the reduction in oxidative stress on certain ocular cells, including the retina of the eye. It further prevents damage to the retina caused by free radicals. The carotenoids found in it can also help in preventing cataracts and macular degeneration.

•  Prevents Bones Degeneration
Mulberry fruit is rich in Vitamin K, calcium, iron and contains traces of phosphorous and magnesium which is beneficial for the healthy maintenance of bone tissue, and prevents bone degeneration.

•  Diabetes
Mulberry fruit suppresses the elevation of blood sugar level and thus balances and controls the sugar level. 
•  Digestive Health
Mulberries are a boon for your stomach. They relieve constipation and are also an excellent way to lose weight. Mulberries contain a good amount of dietary fiber. Your body needs dietary fiber to facilitate proper digestion. It does so by bulking up a stool in the stomach and facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. This process helps in relieving constipation, bloating, and stomach cramps
•  Anaemia
Mulberries are great for curing anaemia as they are rich in iron. They also cure the symptoms of anaemia such as fatigue and dizziness.

•  Brain Health
Mulberries age-proof the brain, keeping it young and alert. They also provide the calcium needs of the brain, hence keeping it hale and healthy. Mulberry also makes for an excellent treatment to keep Alzheimer’s at bay.

•  Skin Health
The antioxidants in mulberries such as beta-carotene neutralize the free radicals that damage skin and cause fine lines. Mulberries also provide vitamins A, C and E, lack of which leads to wrinkles.Mulberries help regulate the melanin synthesis in your skin, which naturally clears off the dark spots.

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