29. Thimbleberries:
The thimble-like shape of these fruits give them their name. These have a beautiful red color when they become ripe. These are fleshy fruits that are so delicate that they may break in your hand when picked from the plant.
Thimbleberries, also known as salmon berries or mountain sorrel, resemble raspberries in appearance, although they have far more seeds. The taste is also not as sweet as raspberries, although many people enjoy the taste of thimbleberries. This small, red berry is not commonly found in grocery stores, although you may find it in specialty markets or forage for it yourself in the wild. Thimbleberries offer a range of nutritional value. Thimbleberry is a perennial flowering plant from the Rubus genus in the Rosaceae or rose family.
These plants are native to various regions of North America. The fruits or berries of these shrubs are edible and are sweet in taste. These fruits are also known as salmonberry.
Young shoots of these plants are also edible. Thimbleberry plants are used for numerous medicinal purposes as well.
Calories and Macronutrients
A 100-g serving of thimbleberries contains 47 calories. If you eat a 2,000-calorie meal plan, this accounts for very little of the allowed calories per day — 2.4 percent. These berries are also quite low in fat. One serving has 0.33 g, an amount that barely contributes to the recommended limit of 20 to 35 percent of your daily calories. You will get very little protein in a serving of thimbleberries: less than 1 g. A 100-g portion does contain 10 g of carbohydrates, however, and this contributes to the 130 g per day suggested for daily intake by the Institute of Medicine.
Vitamins
Include thimbleberries in your diet, and you will get a boost in your vitamin C consumption; a serving has 15 percent of the amount you need each day. The vitamin C in this berry improves the state of your immune system, helping to ward off infections. It speeds wound healing, as well, making thimbleberries a good choice when you are injured. You will also get 10 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin A. This vitamin has many benefits for your vision, including night vision and protection against infections that can attack the surface of your eyes.
Minerals
Thimbleberries offer small amounts of a variety of minerals. One serving provides 3 percent of the suggested daily consumption level of potassium, an electrolyte that helps keep your blood pressure at an even keel. You’ll also get 2 percent of the daily recommended intake of iron, as well as 1 percent of the calcium you need each day. Eating thimbleberries won’t meet your mineral needs for any of these nutrients, so supplement your diet with other foods rich in potassium, iron and calcium to ensure your optimal health.
Benefits
While you can eat thimbleberries fresh, made into jam or incorporated into larger recipes, proponents of this berry note that it may find use as a folk medicine for lessening the symptoms of intestinal problems, including nausea and an unsettled stomach. The Raw Family August/September 2007 newsletter recommends drying the roots of the thimbleberry plant to make into tea; this beverage allegedly helps clear up diarrhea. No scientific data exists to confirm this usage, however, so exercise caution. Consult your physician before using thimbleberry for a medicinal purpose.
Thimbleberry Nutritional Fact
The delicious berries of this plant are fairly nutritious as they contain moderate amounts of vitamins and minerals that help in the growth and immunity of human body. Per 100 gm berries contain:
- Carbohydrates: 10 gm
- Fat: 0.33 gm
- Protein: 1 gm
- Calories: 47
They contain the vitamins A and C in minor amount. Small amount of various minerals including potassium, iron and calcium are also present in these fruits.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
