Vitamin C and E in Berries
Vitamin C is the best known antioxidant in berries. It protects the body against harmful oxidation, participates in building the bones and teeth, prevents inflammations and fatigue and promotes the absorbtion of iron. Vitamin C is also essential for the formation of collagen, which is the support material for cells.
Rosehip, sea buckthorn berry, blackcurrant, cloudberry and rowanberry are all rich in vitamin C. The vitamin C content of none of the fruit imported to Finland is as high as that of these berries. The intake of vitamin C per day, recommended by the Finnish nutritional advisory board, for working age persons is 75 mg.
Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant in the body protecting it from harmful oxidation. Vitamin E maintains the structure of the cell membrane and protects vitamin A in food as well as in the organs.
Vitamin E is a common name for several vitamin E compounds. Berries also include more vitamin E than fruit. The recommended intake for women is 8 mg per day and for men 10 mg per day
Sources:
Peusa, Jussi (ed.)– Piilo, Tiina (ed.) (2006) Tietoa marjojen, hedelmien ja vihannesten ravitsemuksellisesta koostumuksesta ja teknologisista ominaisuuksista – kirjallisuus ja tutkimuskatsaus 2006. Törrönen, Riitta (2006) Tutkimustietoa marjojen terveellisyydesta ja terveysvaikutuksista. ETTK, Clinical nutrition, University of Kuopio.
