Did you know that ancient cultures considered berries to be nature's "vaccines"? 

This is because the word vaccine was derived from the Latin word "vaccini (um)", which means “to inoculate for the prevention of disease with the use of blueberries, strawberries, whortleberries, cranberries and the like.”

Vaccines were originally taken from the "Cornicopiate Farmacy", which meant, "Garden Farmaceuticals".  This was a wholefood pharmacy that studied food for health and healing purposes in ancient times.

The 76 treatises contained in Hippocraticum are brilliant observational teachings of nature spread over centuries that were captured by Hippocrates, the founding father of modern medicine (before "Big Pharma" took over).

Today, vaccines are typically made from pustulant animal fluidiums and toxic metals.  At best, vaccines are controversial.  And at worst, they are harmful due to their link to many cases of autism, epilepsy, seizures, myocarditis and even cases of childhood leukaemia.

So, why not choose nature's inoculators, Berries?

If you'd prefer to go with "nature's vaccines", the message is to eat BERRIES when in season to help protect yourself against infections and viruses.

Berries are jam-packed with immunity-boosting nutritional components that can protect against infection when eaten regularly - and the great news is, they have no side-effects!

And since berries are seasonal, the ancient wisdom was that by loading up on them as they naturally come forth, it would reduce the chances of influenza and infection during the colder months when the cells are under greatest threat from harmful pathogens.

5 Good Reasons To Eat Berries Regularly When In Season

If you could take a pill that would magically help fight heart disease, ageing, digestive issues, inflammation, and even cancer all at once, you absolutely would.

And if that pill tasted delicious and helped keep you hydrated and nutritionally satisfied, that would be a bonus right? 

This is what makes berries such a wonderful choice and alternative to synthetic dosages of foreign substances. 

Here's why you should eat berries as often as you can when in season...

1. Loaded With Antioxidants

One of the most powerful benefits of eating berries are their antioxidants, and this is one of the main reasons they’re considered nature’s vaccine. The value of them can’t be understated, especially when it comes to protecting yourself from illness and disease.

Almost every type of berry is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals. Free radicals are constantly being formed in your body, and by not eliminating them regularly, it can lead to serious illness. If you’re not getting enough antioxidants, free radicals can outnumber them and lead to oxidative stress, which is like your body rusting from the inside out. 

Oxidative stress can impact how your organs function, cause cell death, and even cause lasting damage to your DNA. This can not only cause you to physically age prematurely, but also develop diseases and even cancer.

Consuming enough antioxidants is crucial, and berries are a replete source of them, containing antioxidants like anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and resveratrol. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries have some of the highest antioxidant levels, so ensure you’re getting at least a full serving of berries a day to reap their benefits.

Additionally, it should come as no surprise that berries are full of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, particularly vitamin C (especially strawberries), manganese, copper and vitamin K1.

Tip: If you are looking for a non-food, yet completely natural alternative, boost your immunity with Nature’s Silver Bullet, made from colloidal silver and fulvic acid which is available in our store.

2. Low in Calories But Full of Nutrients

One of the most attractive reasons why you should eat berries everyday is that in addition to being delicious, they’re super low in calories while being packed with vital nutrients.

Berries have tons of juice, which means they help keep you hydrated throughout the day in case you’re not getting enough water, and staying hydrated has so many important benefits for your health.

Berries are also mostly fibre, which is crucial for keeping you regular, eliminating waste and toxins from your body, and keeping you full so you’re not tempted to eat unhealthy food.

The combination of water and fibre that you get from berries is critical for your digestive system; it helps push toxins and build up through your digestive tract which can help to avoid digestive discomforts and diseases.

Also, if you have a days when your digestive system feels sluggish and underperforming, try our Get Things Moving Daily Fibre Blend to help activate healthy digestion.

3. Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s response to some type of chaos or disruption.  It can come in the form of lifestyle, dietary related symptoms or as a response to an abrupt injury or trauma.

By far, the most common form of inflammation is lifestyle related which can manifest dis-eases such as skin and digestive problems, obesity, arthritis and cognitive decline.  All of these conditions can be largely attributed to modern diets that are loaded with refined sugars, processed carbohydrates, processed meats, chemical food colourings, additives, preservatives and alcohol.

The good news is, berries have anti-inflammatory properties due to their rich antioxidant profile, which means adding them to your diet seasonally as a source of nutrition and protection from inflammatory conditions is a great idea.

4. Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Another reason you should eat berries everyday, is because they control bad cholesterol in your body.

Bad cholesterol is a major cause of serious health problems, like heart disease and stroke, which have become very prevalent in today’s society.

Berries can actually help lower bad cholesterol levels, while also helping you to maintain a healthy weight. Over time, by lowering your levels of LDL (Bad) cholesterol, you can help protect yourself from common and debilitating lifestyle diseases that are caused by a build up of plaque in the heart and blood.

5. Boost Mental Wellness

Berries aren’t just a super food for your physical health, but they're also great for your mental wellness.

Studies have shown that berries can help prevent mental decline as you age because they provide nutrients to the brain that boosts focus, clarity and memory.

One of the most notable nutrients that assists the brain in this way, is a type of flavonoid called Anthocyanidins.  These compounds are mostly found in berries and can actually affect the learning and memory centres in your brain which can help you to stay sharp even as you age.

Simple ways to incorporate more berries into your diet:

• Straight from the punnet as a delightful mid-morning snack;
• Freeze ripe fresh berries and blend them into smoothies as needed, together with other ingredients such as coconut or almond milk, ripe banana chunks, raw honey, chia seeds and pitted medjool dates;
• Top off your morning bowl of muesli, porridge or organic yogurt with raw nuts and a handful of fresh, ripe berries;
• Boil berries into a compote and drizzle the mixture over homemade buckwheat pancakes or raw desserts;
• Use fresh seasonal berries to prepare your own home made jams;
• Toss berries into colourful seasonal salads.

The Main Take Away

Anciently, berries were considered nature's vaccines, which are a far cry from the synthetic, pharmaceutical substances created and pushed by the health care industry today.

When you incorporate berries seasonally into your diet, you go a long way to helping protect your cells against pathogens, infections and even viruses, particularly those which proliferate during the colder months.

The good news is, berries are versatile, plump, delicious and readily available when in season - usually during the cooler months in the southern hemisphere, which is more temperate than the northern winter.

So get down to your local farmer's markets or fruit barn and choose a variety of berries to include in your weekly meal plans - strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries are all in abundance at this time of year. 

By getting your weekly dose of berries, you'll go along way to nourishing your cells with a flood of antioxidants that will protect you from the winter elements.

Tolman Self Care.