I, J, K IS FOR….

By Dr Orly Zuker, Chiropractor
(B.Appl Sci:Comp Med, Masters:Clin Chiro, B. Nursing)


INCA BERRIES

Inca berries, also known as goldenberries or gooseberries are a tart, sweet, tangy and chewy South American superfood. They are packed full of antioxidant goodness, bioflavonoids, vitamin A and vitamin C. In traditional South American folk medicine, Inca berries are believed to help maintain healthy weight and promote good health.
Inca berries are a great addition to a trail mix and go perfectly with a mouthful of almonds and raisins. Yum!

 

 

JUNIPER BERRY

Juniper berries are frequently used in herbal medicine preparations (especially in regards to chronic urinary tract infections and lung congestion). The essential oil of juniper berry has diuretic properties, gastrointestinal irritant and antiseptic properties and is in fact used to flavour gin!

Traditionally, Juniper berries also are recommended for joint pain, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as nerve, musculoskeletal and skin conditions such as psoriasis. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of juniper berry essential oil are well documented in the research that exists.

KALE

Kale is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially when added to juice! (what a terrific detox though!). However, kale is a very healthy dark green leafy vegetable (that has 45 different flavonoids). It is packed full of chlorophyll and healthy minerals and vitamins.

Research suggests that this green superfood has cholesterol-lowering benefits (if cooked by steaming) as well as anti-cancer benefits (including bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate cancer). Kale also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits which may assist in chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. In a nut shell, Kale is incredible for you!

KIWI

Kiwi fruits are tangy and tart when they are not ripe and then super sweet when they have sat in your fruit bowl for a week or so. They are the perfect addition to a colourful fruit platter and are bursting with goodness. Did you know that the furry kiwi fruit is a great source of vitamin A and C? And interestingly, when cut in half, the kiwi fruit resemble the human eye and vitamin A is beneficial to macular and eye health.

The kiwi fruit are in fact native to China and were introduced to New Zealand by missionaries in the early 20th century, for which its name came from, resembling the kiwi bird!

Their fuzzy skin may deter some, however research suggests that the phytonutrients (antioxidants/ vitamin C/ flavonoids and carotenoids etc) contained in the kiwi fruit have the ability to protect DNA from oxidative stress (in the nucleus/ power house of human cells). So in the winter months, eat your kiwi fruit!

References:

Miller, HE etal. (2000). Antioxidant Content of Whole Grain Breakfast Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables. J Am Coll Nutr . Vol. 19 (3). Pg.  312-319.

Pantelidis, GE etal. (2007). Antioxidant capacity, phenol, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid contents in raspberries, blackberries, red currants, gooseberries and cornelian cherries.  Food Chem, Vol 102 (3). Pg. 777- 783.

Collins BH et al. (2001). Kiwifruit protects against oxidative DNA damage in human cells and in vitro. Nutr Cancer. Vol 39(). Pg. 148-53.

Duttaroy A & Jorgensen A. (2004). Effects of kiwi fruit consumption on platelet aggregation and plasma lipids in healthy human volunteers. Platelets . Vol 15(5). Pg. 287-292.

Pepeljnjak, S etal (2005) . Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae). Acta Pharm. Vol. 55. Pg. 417–422.