Dr Gillian McKeith (PhD) is an internationally acclaimed Holistic nutritionist and the presenter of hit Channel 4 series You Are What You Eat. She is also a speaker and author; her books include the number one best seller based on the TV series, You Are What You Eat, and Living Food For Health.
Seasonal Berries caught up with Gillian to find out exactly why berries are such an important part of a healthy diet.
Why should we include berries in our diet?
Berries are a high nutrition food. They are low in fat, packed with vitamin C and high in fibre. They are a natural source of folic acid – important for conception and essential for pregnant women in order to minimize the risk of birth defects – and are rich in phytochemicals and anthocynins.
How do berries compare to other fruit?
Berries tick all the important nutritional boxes. They are a very powerful food.
What is your favorite berry?
Blueberries are my favorite berry because of their antioxidant properties. Raspberries come a close second.
Blueberries have more active antioxidants than red wine, so a handful of blueberries will keep you in much better shape. Their high levels of vitamin E are also great for the skin and may help to slow down the ageing process, keeping you looking younger.
Why are berries good for promoting a healthy digestive system?
It is important to encourage the body to manufacture its own good bacteria to promote a good digestive system. Many people suffer from a vitamin B deficiency – this can make the gut sluggish, leaving you feeling permanently under the weather. This deficiency can be easily self-diagnosed – look at your tongue to see if it has any cracks on the surface. If so, you should eat berries as they are a good source of B vitamins.
How can eating berries help improve kidney function?
A mucky coating at the back of your tongue – which is due to a build up of the yeast infection Candida in the body – is one sign that your kidneys are dehydrated. An adult needs 2ltr of water each day, some of which can come from fruit. The advantage of eating berries is that you are boosting both your fluid and your nutrient intake.
What is the best way to eat berries?
A glass of hot water with a slice of lemon and a serving of fresh berries is a great way to start the day and get your digestive system moving.
I would warn against eating berries with porridge or cereal as this tends to cause wind. Porridge, for example, takes four hours to digest while berries take half an hour; eating them together sets off a fermentation process which can cause problems for people with weak digestive systems. The best way to eat any fruit on its own, followed by your breakfast cereal half an hour later once your system is clear.
Berries should be eaten raw and as fresh as possible. Raw food contains important enzymes which helps effective digestion and encourages good bacteria in the gut.
In terms of taste, fresh is best. However, frozen berries contain the same levels of nutrients.
Do berries have any particular benefits for children?
Berries are great for effective brain function. They help to keep you alert and boost memory. This is very important for a child’s development, especially for children of school age.
Do you have any berry serving suggestions?
Smoothies are also a good way of boosting your berry intake. A combination of raspberries, mango and bananas makes an exotic-tasting drink. Berry soup made from blackberries, raspberries and bananas is also delicious.
