Ber or Bor Fruit is Lethal for Dandruff and Great for your Skin
Dried Ber / Bor Fruits
Eating local and eating fresh cannot be emphasized enough for its nutritional benefits. Ber is one such fruit which is found in abundance in the Indian subcontinent. I have fond memories of this sweet and sour fruit. As children, me and my sister used to purchase the candied ber for 25 paisa (less than 1 pence). If you have never tried it, candied ber tastes delicious โ tangy, juicy, a little sour and a little sweet. I am salivating while writing this :))).
Why Eat Ber?
โEating ber is lethal for dandruff, and great for your skin and scalpโ, says nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar.
Ber is nutrient-dense fruit, withย antioxidant andย immuno-stimulant (stimulates your immune system) properties. So if you have weak immunity then eating ber can help. Itโs also a rich source of vitamin C (richer than orange). And vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of cells in all parts of your body, including your skin and scalp. In addition, ber contains amino acids, B vitamins, calcium, iron, and phosphorous. These nutrients will keep your skin healthy, and your scalp and hair in tip top condition. So in short we can say, โeating ber =ย healthy bodyย + healthy skinย + healthy hair. (Reminds me of algebra class :-))
More About Ber
Ber fruit is also known as Bor, Chinee Apple, Jujube,ย Indian plum and Masau. Itโs a seasonal fruit and can be found in the market from November to March. The ripe fruits are mostly consumed raw. Many people, especially children, enjoy the candied form (made by immersing and cooking the fruits in salt and sugar solution). In some places, ripe fruits are sun-dried and a powder called borkut is prepared, which is also very popular among the children.
Besides, ber is not just about taste and nutrition. This ancient fruitย also has a great cultural significance.ย It wasย depicted in the epic of Ramayana (remember the story of Lord Ram and Shabri*), and therefore has been known for many centuries. Inย Maharashtra -an Indian state โ there is a tradition of bathing children in bor fruits (bor nahan), as itโs believed to nurture their immune system.ย The Ber tree is also dear to God Shiva, whose worship is considered incomplete without offering of the ber fruit, especially during Mahashivaratri puja.
Do you know any more facts about ber?ย
*Read Lord Ram and Shabri Storyย onย Wikipediaย
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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