Berries are packed with vitamins, minerals and other compounds such as flavonoids. More than 4000 varieties of flavonoids have been identified, many of which are responsible for the attractive colours of flowers, fruit, and leaves. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants found in deep-pigmented fruits and vegetables such as berries. Antioxidants are compounds that protect the body against the damaging effects of "free radicals", natural by-products of metabolism. The damage caused by free radicals may contribute to aging and other health problems such as cancer, atherosclerosis, dementia and heart disease.
Berries worth trying fresh or frozen: strawberries, blackberries, black and red raspberries, cranberries, blueberries, loganberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, foxberries, and gooseberries.
