Mulberry is a nutritious berry obtained from Morus Alba tree and has been used for centuries for various medicinal purposes.

Nutritional profile

• It contains lesser amount of carbohydrates but significantly rich in fiber
• It contains to some extent of proteins and fats
• It contains adequate amount of moisture
• It is packed with several vitamins like Vitamin C, A, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B6 and B9
• It is also loaded with various important trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc
• It contains numerous important biologically active plant compounds as well, like rutin, cyanidin, myricetin, anthocyanin and chlorogenic acid, all of which play vital role in exerting nutraceutical activities

Biological activity                                

Antioxidant activity

It is loaded with antioxidants that help to protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals thus prevents oxidative stress

Anti-inflammatory activity

Its micronutrients and phytonutrient components are accountable for exhibiting anti-inflammatory activities that help in preventing inflammation, swelling and pain

Anti-carcinogenic activity

• Its antioxidants and phytonutrient components especially anthocyanins exert anti-carcinogenic activity and help in keeping malignant cells at bay
• It mainly helps in decreasing the prevalence of skin, thyroid, prostate and colon cancer

Hypolipidemic activity

• It exerts potent hypolipidemic activity, which helps in decreasing the concentration of bad cholesterol or LDL, VLDL and triglyceride in body
• Whereas it helps in improving the level of HDL, which helps in providing a positive impact on health

Hypoglycemic activity

• Individual who suffer from diabetes should include mulberry in their diet as it helps in decreasing blood sugar concentration
• It contains various imperative biochemical compounds that act like those medicines, which are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus
• It helps in increasing insulin sensitivity, which is also responsible for stabilizing blood sugar level

Detoxifying activity

• It is closely related with boosting up the toxin elimination process thus helps in clean the body
• It helps in eliminating wastes from body as well by increasing urination
• It also plays vital role in purifying the blood

Health benefits

Role on immunity

• It plays vital role in boosting up the overall immune system of the body by activating macrophages. Alkaloids present in mulberry are responsible for this activation
• Macrophages are accountable for keeping the immune system alert at all times as a result lower the susceptibility of becoming ill
• Its vitamin C content  is considered as another important immune boosting nutrient that helps in promoting the synthesis of WBC in many folds, which helps the body able to fight against infection

Role on digestive health

• Mulberry is considered as one of the most important therapeutic substances for digestive health
• It helps in improving the body’s ability to digest foods
• It is also very helpful for preventing constipation. Its dietary fiber contents are responsible for making the stool bulky and soft thus facilities defecation
• It is also associated with supporting the movement of food through the digestive tract
• It helps to improve colonic health as well
• It is very effective for boosting up the stomach health too
• It significantly decreases stomach cramp as well as blotting

Role on blood circulation

• Consumption of mulberry is very effective for improving blood circulation
• Its hypotensive activity is also associated with promoting blood circulation
• Its antioxidant activity plays imperative role in protecting the blood vessels from free radical induced oxidative damages thus helps to keep the blood vessels healthy and active, which ultimately helps in free blood flowing

Role on skeletal health

• It contains adequate amount of calcium, phosphorus, iron as well as vitamin K and this combination of nutrients is considered as extremely healthy for obtaining a good skeletal system
• Calcium and phosphorus play important role in healthy bone formation
• Iron and Vitamin K are also involved in building up of strong bone tissues
• Its consumption is thus thought to be very effective for preventing bone degradation
• It is also related with lowering the risk of developing arthritis as well as osteoporosis

Role on eye health

• Consumption of mulberry is really very useful for obtaining healthy eyes
• It contains significant amount of zeaxanthin that helps in promoting eyesight
• Whereas its antioxidant activity is associated with protecting the eye from free radical induced oxidative damages which is also responsible for lowering the risk of developing vision problems
• Carotinoids present in mulberry plays vital role in reducing the prevalence of macular degeneration and cataract

Role on hepatic health

• Individual who want to obtain a healthy hepatic system should try mulberry
• It helps in promoting hepatic functionality which ultimately ensures healthy metabolism

• Its cholesterol lowering activity is responsible for preventing hepatic cell necrosis by inhibiting fatty infiltration of liver cell, which significantly decreases the prevalence of fatty liver disease

Role on nervous system

• It plays vital role in improving the health and functionality of entire nervous system
• B vitamins present in mulberry help in improving the activity of brain
• It also helps in protecting every nerve cell from oxidative damages hence helps in sustaining their activity
• It helps to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease as well

Role on skin

• Consumption of mulberry is really very helpful for making the skin healthy and supple as it is packed with various imperative nutrients which are responsible for nourishing the skin inside out
• Its antioxidant activity helps in protecting the skin from free radical induced oxidative damages which ultimately reduces the prevalence of dermal disorders as well as premature aging
• Its vitamin E content is accountable for treating dry and delicate skin
• It helps to soothe irritated skin as well
• Vitamin A present in mulberry helps in improving skin barrier activity
• Its vitamin C content helps in increasing skin elasticity by promoting collagen synthesis
• Its moisture content plays vital role in hydrating the skin
• It is also related with regulating the synthesis of melanin within the skin that naturally clears off dark spots

• It helps in unclogging pores and also aids in eliminating toxins from the skin thus helps to keep the skin fresh and vibrant
• Its mineral content is also responsible for providing proper nourishment to the skin. Moreover consumption of mulberry helps to make the skin look naturally beautiful as well as healthy

Role on hair

• It plays vital role in keeping the hair healthy
• It helps in promoting hair growth as well
• It also helps to prevent breakage
• Its Vitamin C, B vitamins, iron and calcium components play imperative role in preventing early hair graying

Therapeutic uses

It has been traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes –

• It is used as an important therapeutic substance for preventing anemia. It is significantly rich in iron which helps in promoting the synthesis of hemoglobin hence reduces the risk of developing anemia
• Its fiber, flavonoid, antioxidant components play vital role in boosting up the cardiac health
• Its cholesterol lowering activity helps in preventing atherosclerosis thus reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases 
• As it is related with maintaining a consistent blood flow thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for preventing strokes and heart attacks
• It helps in preventing common cold and flu

Risk factors

Over consumption of mulberry may lead to dizziness, nausea and diarrhoea thus it is better to consume it as per recommendation.

Bronze, M.R., Serra, A.T., Augusti, P.R., Murcia, P.L. and García, F.H., 2020. Nutritional Composition, Antioxidant Properties, and Health Benefits of Mulberry Fruits. In Asian Berries (pp. 41-65). CRC Press.

Hussain, S.Z., Naseer, B., Qadri, T., Fatima, T. and Bhat, T.A., 2021. Mulberry (M. rubra)—Morphology, Taxonomy, Composition and Health Benefits. In Fruits Grown in Highland Regions of the Himalayas (pp. 305-315). Springer, Cham.

Khalifa, I., Zhu, W., Li, K.K. and Li, C.M., 2018. Polyphenols of mulberry fruits as multifaceted compounds: Compositions, metabolism, health benefits, and stability—A structural review. Journal of Functional Foods, 40, pp.28-43.

Yuan, Q. and Zhao, L., 2017. The Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Fruit A Review of Characteristic Components and Health Benefits. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(48), pp.10383-10394.

Zhang, H., Ma, Z.F., Luo, X. and Li, X., 2018. Effects of mulberry fruit (Morus alba L.) consumption on health outcomes: A mini-review. Antioxidants, 7(5), p.69.