Health Benefits of Mulberry, Uses And Its Side Effects

The structure of mulberries is very similar to that of blackberries or loganberries. They taste like grapefruits. They are the juiciest of all members of the fruit family. They are fleshy, delicious and succulent.They possess a mild, sweet flavor. Mulberries are related to figs and breadfruits.

Mulberries are not single berries. They are actually concentrated fruits where each mulberry is a concentrated one. The fruits occur in a cluster and are arranged concentrically around a central axis. They can be consumed both in fresh and dried forms. Mulberries are obtained from the silkworm tree.

Though there are more than hundreds of species three species are mostly recognized- white mulberry (Morus Alba), red mulberry (Morus rubra) and black mulberry (Morus nigra).

These berries are less in calories (43 calories per 100 grams). They are composed of health enhancing phytonutrient compounds which include polyphenol pigment antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, lipids, protein, dietary fibre , high water content etc.

Nutritional profiles of various mulberries are pretty much same. Mulberries are rich source of Vitamin K and Vitamin C and contain small amount of Vitamin A and Vitamin E.

They also contain Riboflavin. They are an excellent source of iron. They are good source of minerals like potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc. They have significantly high amounts of anthocyanins. They also contain resveratrol and zeaxanthin.

Mulberries are divided into three distinct species based on their colors. These are- black, white, and red mulberry.

• Black mulberry- scientifically known as Morus nigra. These are grown in southwestern Asia regions.
• White mulberry- The scientific name of white mulberry is Morus alba. These are native to China and often bred for silkworm production.
• Red mulberry- scientifically known as Morus rubra. These are native to the eastern United States and are usually identified as the American mulberry.

Some other popular varieties of mulberry are- Riviera, Collier, Linois Everbearing, Tatarica, etc. known for their sweet taste and native places.

Different types of mulberry are available and black mulberry is more popular among them. Mulberry fruit benefits offer lots of health benefits. Start eating mulberry gets all these nutritional values are being mentioned above. We also discuss mulberry side effects and cultivation details.

Due to the distinct taste and nutritional value of mulberry, people use them in a variety of ways. These are-

• Mulberries are excellent ingredients for the preparation of delicious smoothies, jams, and snacks.
• Mulberries are also good for hair and skin.
• They are quite effective in treating blemishes and dark spots.
• Mulberry also helps in treating skin irritation.
• Mulberry also promotes hair growth and helps to retain hair color.
• Mulberry is a significant plant for silk production.

Mulberries are healthy when consumed in moderate amounts. According to a test conducted by the American Diabetes Association, there are a few side effects associated with the consumption of mulberries. They are-

• Mulberries can drop your blood sugar levels badly if not consumed moderately.
• Mulberry contains abortion, which possesses carcinogenic effects thus making it riskier to use its extract on the skin.
• It has been claimed that it prevents carbohydrates and triacylglycerol absorption.
• Mulberries can cause hypoglycemia.

Mulberry is a deciduous woody perennial plant and has a deep root system. Mulberry fruit has its origin in different parts of the world. The red mulberry is native to the United States, whereas black mulberry is native to western Asia.

White mulberry is considered to have originated in China and is mainly grown in countries with a tropical type of climate. White mulberries grow well in every type of soil. Soil acidity can range from acidic to alkaline. It is generally drought tolerant but prefers moist and well drained soil.

Mulberry is highly salt tolerant. It grows thirty to fifty feet tall. The red mulberry trees grow thirty five to fifty feet tall with an upright and spreading canopy. These trees grow best in rich soil. Black mulberries grow thirty five feet tall and are salt tolerant in areas with mild climate. They prefer warm, moist and well drained soil. Mulberries can be grown from seeds.

In India, total acreage of mulberry is around 282,244 ha. States where mulberry tree are grown are as follows- Andhra Pradesh (highest area under mulberry cultivation) , Assam, Jammu Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and others.