Free berry is a superfood that cuts infection and inflammation

Gardens, parks and streets across the UK will be filled with blackberries next month as the common fruit comes into full season - and health experts say they are a superfood that can boost immunity and cut inflammation. Blackberries are easy to find at the edge of many fields and growing in hedgerows, while some people grow them in gardens or allotments.

If you can't find them wild, they are easy to find in the chilled fresh fruit and veg section of any supermarket.

The fruits typically ripen from August to October, meaning you’ll see lots more of them over the coming weeks. And while fashionable blueberries might be famed among the Instagram foodie scene for their superfood status, the humble blackberry offers just as many benefits. Here are just a few reasons to snack on a punnet of blackberries this autumn.

1. They’re packed with vitamin C

Blackberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps protect cells against damage, support the immune system and maintain healthy skin and blood vessels.

The NHS say adults need around 40mg of vitamin C per day. As 100g of blackberries typically provides 21mg, adding a generous handful of blackberries to your morning porridge will make big inroads into that daily target.

2. They’re loaded with antioxidants

Antioxidant-rich foods are important to include in your diet. This is because they help protect to protect your cells against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals – harmful molecules that are produced by lifestyle factors like drinking alcohol or exposure to pollution and sunlight.

A 2008 study found that blackberries, along with pomegranate, blueberries and raspberries, have the highest cellular antioxidant activity of all commonly consumed fruits.

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