Haskap Berries resemble oblong blueberries
Haskap Berries: A Nutritional Powerhouse
Updated Apr. 03rd, 2024 | Read Time: 3 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- What Are Haskap Berries?
- Top Health Benefits of Haskap Berries
- Understand How Haskap Berries Work In Your Body
- Adding Haskap To Your Routine
With a long-standing tradition of medicinal use in Japan, Haskap berries have strong medicinal properties and are grown wild and cultivated right here in Canada.
Haskap is a deciduous shrub reaching 1 – 2 m tall, which produces dark blue to almost purple oblong berries approximately 1 cm in length. Unlike blueberries, Haskap berries' flesh is also purple, making it 5 times more potent in polyphenols than blueberries.
With a fruity tangy zing, they taste great, like a cross between a raspberry, blueberry and black currant.
What Are Haskap Berries?
Haskap is the Japanese name for the plant Lonicera caerulea, also known as Edible Blue Honeysuckle. Haskap has been known as a longevity fruit in Japan for thousands of years. It's native to the northern boreal forests of Asia, North America and Europe. It's generally found in low-lying wet areas or high in mountains. Farmers have been cultivating Haskap berries in Canada since the 50's and it's been found in the wild all across Canada, except for BC.
Top Health Benefits of Haskap Berries
One of the most exciting findings about Haskap berries is it has the highest Anthocyanin content of any fruit. Laboratory analysis also shows it's high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, fibre and potassium.
ORAC value is a testable measurement of the antioxidant quality of a product. Haskap tests very high in ORAC value.
ORAC measurement specifically assesses Haskap to have:
• Overall Total ORAC Value - 13400 mmoles TE/100gms
• Specific Total Phenolics – 1014mg/100gms
• Specific Total Anthocyanins – 949mg/100gms
• Specific Total Bioflavonoids – 887mg/100mg
Haskap also contains the minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Iron, Zinc and Copper.
Because of its high concentration of antioxidants, Haskap can be used for many conditions and prevention of disease.
It's most commonly used for cardiovascular disease and prevention and anti-aging and vision support.
Understand How Haskap Berries Work In Your Body
How Haskap berries work is via its strong antioxidant content. Antioxidants are compounds which neutralize free radicals which come from toxins, food, air pollution, chemicals, medications and your body's production of waste. There are many types of antioxidants in nature, three of which are Phenolics (or polyphenols), Bioflavonoids and Anthocyanins.
In a comparative chart above, we see that Haskap has the highest content of total antioxidants than any common berry.
By neutralizing free radicals in your body you are preventing oxidative damage to your arteries, eyes, skin, liver and brain. This prevents the build-up of arterial plaque in your arteries, prevents cataracts and retinal damage to your eyes, and the development of plaque in your brain. It also keeps your skin looking younger and longer.
Preventing oxidative and free radical damage also helps keep your cells healthy because it prevents unhealthy cellular changes.
Adding Haskap To Your Routine
Haskap berries can be found fresh or frozen, in jams, wine and in powdered form.
You can eat them fresh or frozen daily on hot cereal, in health shakes or added to food.
Dear National Nutrition,
I like the benefits of Haskap Berry that you mentioned. But I don't know where to buy the Powder or the supplement?
Thank you.
Hello, Mamer: We agree, Haskap berries are awesome! We are currently waiting on a new crop to come in from our supplier, so please check back with us in the late summer or early fall and we should have them back by then. :-)
I love the healing power of antioxidants, they are very powerful and generally tasty. I will have to add Haskap Berries to my list!
Very interesting article; thanks for these articles National Nutrition. It's great to learn about natural health.
This is a great article! I eat very healthy, however, I have never heard of Haskan berries! I eat blueberries every day because I know they are very healthy. Great antioxidant, but this Haskan Berry sounds even better. Funny, it says that it tastes like a combination of raspberries, blueberries, and blackcurrant. Those just happen to be some of my favorite of all the berries. And also great for your skin and keeps you looking younger. That's an extra bonus. I would definitely like to try them. Will National Nutrition be carrying them? I don't see them listed.
Hello Kelyani,
Happy to hear you've enjoyed our article and have found a new antioxidant to love. Antioxidants support overall health in many ways and are very beneficial for skin health too. You may enjoy our article on antioxidants to find even more awesome ways to fight free radicals. As for ordering, if you contact our customer service team at 1-800-526-9772, we may be able to special order it for you.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/antioxidants/
Have a healthy day