5 Top Health Benefits of Rowan Berries That You Should Know

When talking about berries, the first thing comes to mind is usually strawberries, or raspberries. Well, this is not without reason, as strawberries and raspberries are commonly cultivated in global. The former even gained popularity as most widely cultivated berry in modern times. Those common examples of berry are typically used in making food and beverages.

For example, strawberries are mainly used to make juice, jam, pie, as a part of cake ornaments, and to add flavor to milkshake, chocolate, and ice cream.

Now, what about uncommon berries? Do they have the same benefit as their common counterpart? Of course they have. Some berries are only used for specific purposes, thus limiting their functionality. Also, some species are limited to certain areas. One good example is Rowan berries which is only commonly found in Northern Hemisphere regions, low temperature areas, some part of Europe, and Northern Asia. In this writing, we will mainly discuss about this berry. The Rowan berries.

The rowan berries are a variety of berries that is only popular among European people, possibly because it has been associated with the mythology and folklore originated there. In Europe, this berry has many use in alcoholic beverages, such as country wine, liqueurs, and cordials. It also can be made into a jam and as an accompaniment in serving game.

You are probably wondering, then what are other uses of Rowan berries beside being made into various food and beverages products? Well, apparently, Rowan berries have many other uses, one of them is for health treatment purpose. It is not often used, but Rowan berries still provide decent benefits for our health. It is both used in folk medicines and over-the-counter drugs. (Also read : Health Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice)

Before we jump to health benefits , here are the list of chemicals found in this fruit :

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF ROWAN BERRIES

Every 100 gram of Rowan berries contain following nutritions :

136 kJ (33 kcal) Energy
7.68 g Carbohydrates
15 g Sugars
4.75 g Glucose
9.8 g Fructose
2 g Dietary fiber
0.3 g Fat
0.67 g Protein
0.0545 mg (2%) Thiamine (B1)
0.22 mg (2%) Riboflavin (B2)
0.386 mg (3%) Niacin (B3)
0.125 mg (3%) Pantothenic acid (B5)
0.047 mg (4%) Vitamin B6
24 μg (6%) Folate (B9)
5.7 mg (1%) Choline
58.8 mg (71%) Vitamin C
0.29 mg (2%) Vitamin E
2.2 μg (2%) Vitamin K
16 mg (2%) Calcium
0.41 mg (3%) Iron
13 mg (4%) Magnesium
0.386 mg (18%) Manganese
24 mg (3%) Phosphorus
154 mg (3%) Potassium
1 mg (0%) Sodium
0.14 mg (1%) Zinc
90.95 g Water
4.4 μg Fluoride

These following chemicals also found in Rowan berries :

Sorbic acid
Flavonoid
Anthocyanins
Tannins
Rutins
Polyphenolic substances
Quercetins

That is the complete list of chemicals found in Rowan berries. Some are good for human health, some are bad. But the good outweigh the bad. You can see it contains high level of vitamins, and decent amount of minerals. The only substance with toxic properties is Parasorbic acid. Even then, it will fade and transform into useful sorbic acid once the fruit is frozen.

Here are the health benefits of this berries you are looking for :

1. Helps prevent cancer

Because it is rich in anti-oxidants such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, quercetin, and sorbic acid, Rowan berries can be a helpful medicine against cancer. These anti-oxidants are able to prevent the dangerous effects of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are known as main cause of cancerous cells growth.

2. Boosts immune system

Rowan berries contains high concentration of Vitamin C, which means it can be used to boost immunity. Sorbic acid also plays important role here.

3. Antibacterial agent

Sorbic acid found in the Rowan berries also has been linked to the reduction of bacterial effects in the body. Therefore, if consumed as food, Rowan berries can act as an antibacterial agent. (You may interested : Benefits of Blueberries for Weight Loss)

4. Eases digestion processes and intestinal passages

Rowan berries contains reasonable amount of fiber, which is a good sign for those who suffering digestion issues and constipation. Fiber eases digestion activities and minimize constipation by bulking up faeces. Rowan berries also can cure other digestion related diseases, such as diarrhea.

5. Acts as a medication of respiratory illnesses

In folk medicine, rowan berry was made into juice to reduce the inflammation of mucous membrane in respiratory tract, relieve asthma, treat coughs, heal sore throats, and congestion. This benefit of Rowan berries is likely due to presence of anti-oxidants that act as anti-inflammatory agents, and Vitamin C. Thus, there are many health benefits of rowan berries. (You may want to read : Health Benefits of Thimbleberries )

Other health benefits of rowan berries are as following :

Prevent macular degeneration
Act as skin treatment
Prevent the sign of aging
Maintain blood circulation
Accelerates regeneration process
Boosts healing rates
Prevent visual disorder and blindness

Cautions of Rowan Berries

Freshly picked rowan berries may contain a toxic substance called parasorbic acid. Therefore, make sure to keep Rowan berries inside either low or high temperature container. This will eliminate the parasorbic acid, and turn it into sorbic acid which has opposite effect.