Buffalo Berries Could Be The Next Superfood For Health and Beauty

Buffalo Berries

These little red berries are great sources for antioxidants and nutrients as well as being packed with fiber and packed with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) .

 

They grow exclusively in North America and American Indians have used for everything from food, to ice cream to medicine. These berries grow on many Indian reservations and can flourish in tough conditions.

 

The berry contains high levels of lycopene, the antioxidant, cancer-fighting substance commonly associated with tomatoes, watermelon,etc. Lycopene is a fat soluble vitamin so it is best to eat it with a food that contains fat.

 

The interesting thing about Lycopene is that most nutrients degrade with heating and cooking, Lycopene actually increases with cooking.

 

We all know that the one vitamin that’s important for smoother skin is vitamin C because it stimulates collagen production which keeps skin looking young and firm.  But now a new study shows that another nutrient – lycopene - may help to promote smoother, younger looking skin.

The study was published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. In the study the researchers gave twenty-five young adults a lycopene rich diet for four weeks followed by a 25 milligram lycopene supplement for another three months. They found that at the end of the four month period, the participants had higher levels of cartenoids which are strong antioxidants which have a positive impact on skin's aging process. Also, a previous study found that  higher skin lycopene levels were associated with smoother skin.
So being that the Buffalo berry has high levels of vitamin C as well as Lycopene, this little red berry really packs a punch to help us fight aging skin.
Since Buffalo berries are not grown commercially as of yet, we will have to do some searching to locate a source. But I am sure that it won't be long before we are seeing these great berries at the health food stores soon.