Health boost in every bite: The rise of honeyberries

Honeyberries are increasingly found at market stalls. Their elongated shape distinguishes them but resembles blueberries, whether the wild or cultivated varieties. Their popularity is growing year by year. Jams and juices made from them are also available. Honeyberries have numerous health-promoting properties.

Honeyberry is a variety of blue honeysuckle. It originates from northeastern Asia but is cultivated worldwide. Its properties have been utilized for centuries in the folk medicine of Northern Russia, China, and Japan. It is called "the elixir of life" in these regions.

The plant is straightforward to cultivate, and people are increasingly planting it in their gardens. Honeyberries ripen from mid-May and have the most health-promoting properties when raw. They are blackish-purple, elongated in shape, and about 2.5 cm long. They are juicy and have a taste described as sweet and sour, though a subtle bitterness can also be detected. They are best added to salads, yogurt, or oatmeal.

Honeyberries are not related to either wild or cultivated blueberries. Their taste is entirely different and more tangy, but they are delicious and healthy. They help in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. They also have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Similar to cultivated and wild blueberries, honeyberries are beneficial for eyesight. Thanks to vitamin A, they prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, and because of anthocyanins, they strengthen the retina.

Honeyberries are rich in vitamins, especially K and C. Eating about 100 grams of these fruits provides nearly 1/4 of the daily requirement for these nutrients. It will also meet 1/4 of the manganese requirement. These fruits are also recommended for a reduction diet because they are high in fibre. People with diabetes can also eat them. Their ingredients regulate tissue sensitivity to insulin. They have a low glycemic index.