Amazing hidden health benefits of turkey berry: Turkey berry is a well-liked food and herbal cure that has been utilized for centuries in many forms of traditional medicine.
Although it’s widely used, many individuals are unsure of its optimal applications or level of safety.
Everything you need to know about turkey berries, including the science behind some of its most well-known uses, is covered in this article.
Amazing hidden health benefits of turkey berry and possible side effects.
What is turkey berry?
Turkey berry is a type of spiny, flowering shrub that produces large clusters of yellow-green, pea-sized berries that can be used for a variety of culinary, horticultural, and medicinal purposes.
Scientifically known as Solanum torvum, it goes by many names and belongs to the nightshade family of plants
Other common names for turkey berry include:
- prickly nightshade
- devil’s fig
- shoo shoo bush
- wild eggplant
- pea eggplant
- susumber
The hardy turkey berry grows well in a range of temperatures, but it prefers sunny, temperate areas.
Similar to weeds, the plants spread quickly. So, they are widespread and may be found in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the actual origin of turkey berry because of its extensive distribution. Its origins are likely in Central and South America, according to numerous researchers.
Potential health benefits
Numerous physical maladies, such as high blood pressure, digestive problems, bacterial infections, and more are treated with turkey berry, which is used both as a meal and a herbal cure.
However, there has only been a little amount of scientific study on turkey berry’s therapeutic benefits.
However, preliminary research using test-tube and animal experiments indicates that certain minerals and plant components in turkey berry may be the key to its numerous claimed health advantages.
Amazing hidden health benefits of turkey berry and possible side effects.
May prevent and treat anemia
One of the most prevalent nutritional deficits in the world is low iron.
A frequent ailment that can arise from insufficient iron consumption is iron deficiency anemia. It comes with signs including exhaustion, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath.
Turkey berries are a common food used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia because they are an especially high source of plant-based iron.
Despite the high iron content of turkey berries, current animal studies suggest that the iron may not be efficiently absorbed in the digestive system. There is also no assurance that consuming more turkey berries would significantly raise your iron levels.
When strawberries, bell peppers, or citrus fruits are eaten together, the absorption of iron from plant-based diets may be improved.
However, there’s no research available to indicate whether this method improves turkey berry’s ability to treat anemia.
Amazing hidden health benefits of turkey berry and possible side effects.
May promote healthy immune function
Turkey berry contains powerful antibacterial qualities that may support healthy immune function in a number of ways, according to test-tube research.
According to one study, turkey berries may be useful in fighting the herpes simplex virus.
The antibacterial qualities of turkey berry have also been discovered to be helpful for keeping wounds clean and promoting the healing of cuts and ulcers.
Although the first results are encouraging, further carefully planned human trials are required to establish the efficacy of turkey berry in supporting healthy immune function in people.
Amazing hidden health benefits of turkey berry and possible side effects.
May help lower blood pressure
A significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure affects over 50% of individuals in the United States.
Turkey berry components may help decrease blood pressure naturally, according to preliminary studies.
In test-tube experiments, the unique chemicals gallic acid and ferulic acid, which are abundant in turkey berries, have shown to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Moreover, one animal study found that turkey berry extract significantly reduced blood pressure in rats with high blood pressure.
Still, there are currently no studies available to determine whether turkey berry can help lower blood pressure in humans. Thus, no specific results can be guaranteed.
Amazing hidden health benefits of turkey berry and possible side effects.
Safety precautions and possible side effects
Turkey berry plants are grown all over the world for their edible and medicinal properties, including their roots, stems, leaves, and fruit.
The leaves, stems, and roots may be dried and consumed as a powder, tea, or tincture, although the fruit is frequently cooked in oil or ghee and eaten intact.
Turkey berry is widely used and generally regarded as safe, but there is a dearth of reliable evidence when it comes to determining its exact dosage and the potential danger of negative effects after consumption.
The nightshade plant family, which also contains potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant, includes turkey berry.
The turkey berry belongs to the same family of substances known as glycoalkaloids as other nightshades. Glycoalkaloids can produce unpleasant gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms such nausea, stomach soreness, diarrhea, disorientation, and confusion when taken in excessive dosages.
The amount of glycoalkaloids in turkey berries naturally decreases as the plant gets older. Therefore, it is recommended that you only eat completely ripe turkey berry fruit.
The effects of glycoalkaloids may, however, affect some persons more than others. Turkey berry is probably not the greatest option for you if you have a history of having trouble digesting nightshades.
There isn’t enough reliable scientific information to say whether turkey berry is safe for use by pregnant or nursing mothers.
However, it is typical practice in some nations, such as Ghana, for women who are pregnant or nursing to take raw turkey berries in order to enhance their iron status and encourage lactation.
The best course of action is to speak with your doctor before including turkey berries in your diet, particularly if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any underlying medical conditions, given the paucity of research and the possibility that poisonous varieties may be difficult to distinguish from non-toxic berries.
Amazing hidden health benefits of turkey berry and possible side effects.
Conclusion
Turkey berries are a well-known plant that are utilized all over the world for their special nutritional and therapeutic qualities. It is a member of the same plant family as various other popular vegetables, including peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes.
Numerous conditions, including high blood pressure, wounds, anemia, and bacterial and viral infections, are treated with turkey berry. However, the majority of the current research demonstrating its effectiveness for these uses is restricted to test-tube and animal studies.
Turkey berries are generally safe to eat, but you should make sure they are fully ripe before you do so since eating an unripe turkey berry can have detrimental effects on your nervous system and digestive system.
Given the paucity of study, you need to speak with your doctor before using turkey berry in your wellness regimen, particularly if you have any underlying medical concerns.
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