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Berries are very popular these days. They are great for picnics, some are romantic like the strawberry, they taste great in smoothies and they are loved by health fanatics. Scientists from around the world are excited about their cancer-fighting properties and dieticians suggest you throw them on everything for good measure and good health. Instead of crash diets that tend to crash wellbeing, a handful of berries with your muesli in the morning could do you wonders. Quick and easy; naturally low on calories, fat, saturates and salts; high in vitamins C and don’t forget very yummy – no, berry yummy – the berry is the perfect summer fruit.

A handful of berries, a world full of good

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Being high in Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) they increase the take in of antioxidants, which clamp down on free radicals, giving your skin the youthful glow much needed for swimming season. And blackberries contain plenty of Vitamin E, which helps the skin heal itself of scrapes and cuts, perfect for active little kiddies.

The berry explosion

The great thing also is that they are so readily available between April and December and now more than ever, scientists are joining forces to protect this super fruit from global warming, which is good because they are working on ways to produce more, as well as creating varying hybrids, which could taste interesting – go ClimaFruit Project! The berry industry forms a large part of the overall soft fruit industry which in the UK is a multimillion pound industry. Last year, strawberry sales were 108% higher than in the previous year.

In the garden and on the table

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Organic is always better though and the awesome thing is, in these days of DIY home gardening, berries are not difficult to plant. Now, February and March, is the best time to plant raspberries and before you know it you have a cancer cell-busting fruit flourishing just outside your kitchen. Raspberries are high in Ellagic Acid, which regulates oestrogen, a compound linked to tumour growth. Besides that, keeping the rest of the family healthy and happy has never been easier with some amazing recipes out there – try Jamie Oliver’s summer fruit jellies or Delia’s summer fruit compote. And with berries, sharing is definitely caring.