Have you ever wondered what a berry is? Usually we call a berry what we have been taught to call it - raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries, etc. After all, it would never occur to you to call a berry, for example, a pumpkin. However, from a scientific point of view, we are mistaken.
A berry is a fruit with several seeds and juicy pulp emerging from the ovary. Such fruits are divided into the actual berries, apples, pumpkins and oranges. So, strawberries, cherries, raspberries are not berries. But a pumpkin, a cucumber or an eggplant - it’s quite for yourself. Below is a list of the largest berries in the world.
10. Kiwi
The second name of the plant is “chinese gooseberry". This is a Chinese exotic berry growing on vines. It grows best in the subtropics - Italy, Greece, Chile. In Crimea, the fruit reaches the size of a glass cup.
"Chinese gooseberry" - an unusually healthy berry. She is among the champions in terms of the amount of vitamin C, saturated with antioxidants, potassium, iodine, fiber, folic acid, etc.
The enzyme found inside accelerates digestion, helps to break down proteins better and prevents blood coagulation. In other words, for the body kiwi - a valuable product. Berries are also used in cosmetology - they cleanse and moisturize the skin.
9. Pomegranate
Red fruit is actually a berry. From Latin "Garnet"Translates as"grainy". It is not surprising, because in one ripe fruit comes across more than a thousand grains.
Garnet - urinary and choleretic agent, rich in vitamin C, A, PP, B6, B12, amino acids and trace elements. The berry promotes blood formation, strengthens blood vessels and helps the cardiovascular system. Also, the fetus promotes digestion and is useful for those who have lowered acidity of the stomach. By the way, in ancient times it was believed that with the help of pomegranate it is possible to recover from infertility.
However, do not abuse it. Do not get carried away with pomegranate juice - it is very sour. Drink it not often and only diluted. After eating pomegranate or drinking juice, rinse your mouth as the juice corrodes tooth enamel. In addition, pomegranate fastens, so it’s better for people with constipation not to get carried away with berries.
8. Cucumber
It would seem, and here cucumber - this is a vegetable. However, biologists are guided by a different logic. Cucumber belongs to the pumpkin family. And since there are hundreds of seeds in the juicy shell of the fruit, the cucumber is a berry. So, cucumber is a berry from the pumpkin family.
The birthplace of the plant is India. The first mention of it appeared 6 thousand years ago. There, the cucumber grew in vivo.
The berry is 97% water. That is why cucumber is used as a urinary and choleretic agent. The largest cucumber was grown in Britain. The length of the fetus is 91.7 cm.
7. Eggplant
The next representative of the largest berries surprises no less. Yes, eggplant - also a berry. It is believed that the birthplace of eggplant is India, South Asia and the Middle East. The plant does not tolerate temperature differences and requires constant humidity. 1.5 thousand years ago, the berry was cultivated in China, after which it spread throughout the world.
Eggplant - low-calorie food, easy to digest. Therefore, it is considered a dietary dish. Also useful for gout - does not allow uric acid to accumulate. It restores the water-salt balance in the body, is rich in minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C. Potassium is important for people with cardiovascular diseases.
6. Tomato
Name tomato comes from italian pomo d’oro – «Golden Apple". And although the plant is cultivated as a vegetable crop, the fruit tomato - berry.
The product contains the antioxidant lycopene, so the use of tomato reduces the likelihood of cancer and heart disease and blood vessels. Moreover, the antioxidant is most concentrated in the skin of a tomato. The average fetus makes up for 28% of the daily intake of vitamin C.
The vitamins contained are essential for healthy bones, blood, and normal blood pressure. A study in mice confirmed that the flavonoid naringenin in the composition of the tomato reduces inflammation.
5. Pineapple
Homeland berries - Brazil. Local residents prepared wine and medicine from it, and made fabric from the leaves. Thanks to Christopher Columbus in the 15th century, the plant appeared in Europe.
In Russia a pineapple imported in the 18th century. It was used as pickles, stewed and cooked. Under Catherine II, the first grown plant cost a lot of money. Due to the harsh climate, the culture did not take root.
Fresh pineapple is most healthy. This is a low-calorie and sweet product that is consumed even with diabetes. It promotes protein breakdown and is especially useful for low acidity. The fruit also contains B vitamins and anti-inflammatory substances, helps relieve swelling and prevents thrombosis.
However, pineapple is contraindicated in people with gastritis, ulcers and with high acidity. Also, you can not eat pineapple for pregnant women.
4. Zucchini
Squash - A type of pumpkin, and it is also referred to as a berry.
The pulp is easily digested, does not irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.
Thanks to vitamins and beta-carotene, zucchini is good for hair, nails, skin and eyesight. In addition, dietary fiber cleanses the body, absorbing and removing harmful substances. In addition, the berry has a low calorie content, so zucchini is used as a dietary dish.
3. Melon
Melon associated with summer and freshness. Fragrant pulp contains a lot of water and nutrients such as vitamins, potassium, iron, beta-carotene, etc. Food is extremely low in calories, it contains no fats.
Melon is a source of antioxidants, such as vitamin A and C. The use of the fetus will help maintain visual acuity, supports the cardiovascular system, and prevents constipation. Everyone eats melon - there are no contraindications.
2. Pumpkin
Pumpkin - The second largest berry. The fruit is rich in vitamins, including rare vitamin T. In addition, for every 100 grams of pumpkin there is 1 gram of protein. It turns out that the protein content in pumpkin is higher than in the quail egg - which will appeal to vegetarians. Beta-carotene in the fetus is greater than that of carrots.
When assimilated, carotene is converted to vitamin A, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and cancer risk. Pumpkin normalizes metabolism, has a beneficial effect on the digestive and cardiovascular systems.
According to the advice of nutritionists, it is useful to use pumpkin for gout, tuberculosis, constipation, cholelithiasis. The pulp will not harm pregnant women and children. Also, a decoction of pumpkin and honey will help with insomnia and problems with nerves.
1. Watermelon
And here’s the biggest berry in the world - watermelon. The most valuable part of the fruit is the flesh. It contains B vitamins, nicotinic and folic acids, carotene, trace elements and, most importantly, fiber. However, the main "trump card" of watermelon is magnesium.
Eating berries is extremely useful for maintaining the cardiovascular system and maintaining vascular elasticity. In addition, magnesium is useful for digestion, prevents the formation of stones, removes excess cholesterol. The berry has a lot of water, the use of the product will help maintain the water-salt balance, while not washing out the potassium from the body.
However, you should not eat watermelon with high acidity, diseases of the stomach, kidneys and pancreas.