Sea Buckthorn Benefits: The Vitamin-C-Rich Berry You Have Been Missing
Whether used in modern medicine or daily recipes, sea buckthorn is beneficial for people worldwide when added to their diets.
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Imagine a small golden berry that has many surprising uses, and that’s what sea buckthorn is. Despite staying out of attention, this tiny fruit is filled with lots of beneficial nutrients. Having a lot of vitamin C along with antioxidants, essential fats, and helpful vitamins, sea buckthorn is our best secret from nature.
In remote parts of Asia and Europe, it has been used for a long time to boost the immune system, maintain healthy-looking skin, and support cardiovascular health. Although its rewards are substantial, most people remain unaware of it.
It’s high time to put this exceptional berry at the focal point of your wellness journey. Having sea buckthorn in juices, oils, or supplements gives you a healthy and natural way to look after your health. Want to discover the power of this golden fruit and help your health the natural way? The news is out, so the adventure is ready for you.
What is Sea Buckthorn?
The sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) plant is distinctive because of its long thorny branches and yellow to orange berries. Their bold colour and one-of-a-kind shape—small, oval-shaped and dusted with a powdery coating—are other things that highlight them.
Sea buckthorn comes from coastal places, rocky soil, and drier, sub-alpine areas and goes by several other names, such as seaberry, Siberian pineapple, sandthorn, or sallowthorn. Just like it looks, it tastes strongly tangy with a hint of sour, citrus flavour that feels refreshing and tart.
It has a distinctive taste that not everyone likes at first, but many people enjoy it when mixed into juices, jams, or oils. If you need a nutritional boost, sea buckthorn is a perfect choice because it offers vitamins, potent antioxidants, and vital fatty acids.
Whether used in modern medicine or daily recipes, sea buckthorn is beneficial for people worldwide when added to their diets.
Health Benefits Of Sea Buckthorn
Here are 11 science-backed benefits of sea buckthorn oil.
#1 Boost Immunity Naturally
The fact that it has five times more vitamin C than oranges makes it a potent fighter against infections and diseases.
Apart from having vitamin C, sea buckthorn is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids that may aid in body protection. These nutrients may help eliminate free radicals, manage inflammation, and support the immune system’s overall functioning.[1]
Sea buckthorn may also prevent damage to body cells because of its flavonoid and carotenoid antioxidants, which help minimize harmful free radicals.
Thus, eating this fruit may help strengthen your body against common colds, flu, and other types of infections, making it beneficial for your overall health.
#2 Protect Your Skin
Over time, people have applied sea buckthorn oil to their skin because it contains unsaturated fats, antioxidants, carotenoids, and vitamins E and K, which help safeguard and strengthen the skin.
Palmitoleic acid is one of the components in it that supports the healing of wounds and burns in humans.[2]
Additionally, it contains linoleic acid (LA), which may be beneficial for managing acne, psoriasis, and dry skin. [3]
It may also protect the skin from harmful UV rays, which is why it is often found in anti-ageing products and skin treatments. Still, further studies are needed to confirm all the benefits it can offer.
#3 Promote Heart Health
Using sea buckthorn in your daily balanced diet might support the health of your heart. Because it is rich in phytosterols, it helps protect your heart and guard against disease.
They may also help manage the absorption of cholesterol, which could lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, and reduce the risk of artery blockages.
The juice of the buckthorn berry contains proteins, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, different minerals, and organic acids that may manage your risk of heart disease. [5]
So, if you’re looking for a healthy heart, start adding this superfood as part of your balanced diet
#4 Supports Digestive Health
Sea buckthorn helps boost digestive health. The fibre, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids in fruit can improve how food is digested and move through the gut. Its oil is believed to calm and soothe the stomach, potentially aiding in boosting digestive health.[5]
Sea buckthorn helps the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria involved in healthy digestion and the absorption of nutrients from food.
Specifically, the omega-7 found in the fruit helps maintain the protective lining of the stomach and intestines, aiding in the management of conditions such as acid reflux and constipation.
Certain studies discovered that it can manage the inflammation that results in inflammatory bowel diseases. [6] Regularly using sea buckthorn promotes the health of your digestive system.
Aashirvaad Atta, Multigrains, and its specially trained nutritionists developed the My Meal Plan test. This test calculates your daily fiber intake and provides a personalized meal plan tailored to your needs.
#5 Good for Hair
Because sea buckthorn is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, it favors good hair health. Oil extracted from buckthorn berries may promote hair growth and improve the appearance of your hair.
If the scalp contains omega-3, omega-6, and omega-7 fatty acids, it will remain hydrated and safe from the dryness that causes dandruff.
Since it has plenty of vitamins and antioxidants like A, C, and E, it may protect the hair from damage caused by both free radicals and the environment.
Sea buckthorn oil and items made from it are beneficial for strengthening hair, managing hair loss issues, and adding shine to hair.[7]
How to Consume Sea Buckthorn
You can use sea buckthorn by making juice, powder, oil, or eating the whole berries. Let’s find out different ways to eat it.
1. Sea Buckthorn Juice
Mixing sea buckthorn juice with water gives you a refreshing drink. Adding it to smoothies will not only flavour them but also provide you with more vitamins. You can also enjoy sea buckthorn juice with herbal ginger or chamomile tea for a delicious and healthy drink. Most people are advised to drink buckthorn juice early in the morning, when on an empty stomach. However, juice can be consumed at any time throughout the day or between meals.
2. Sea Buckthorn Powder
You may use sea buckthorn powder in your smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or cereal to improve their nutritional benefits. At times, powdered seasoning is used in recipes to enhance the flavour and nutritional value of food.
3. Sea Buckthorn Oil
You can take sea buckthorn oil orally for your well-being or apply it topically to your skin for treatment and moisturize it. It helps calm the skin and restore its healthy texture, thereby enhancing your skincare routine.
4. Sea Buckthorn Berries
Raw berries are edible, yet most people find them extremely sour. Instead, try adding them to jams, jellies, and sauces to deliver a tangy taste and enhance the nutritional value of your meals.
Important Considerations
It’s necessary to follow the suggested ways to add sea buckthorn products as part of your diet. Talk to a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to give it to children.
In most cases, sea buckthorn is safe, but a small number of people may experience light digestive problems. Always opt for trusted brands when purchasing its products.
The Bottom Line
Sea buckthorn contains a lot of nutrients that benefit your health by improving your immune system, skin, and hair. As it contains a high amount of fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and E, it is beneficial in combating inflammation and oxidative stress, supporting overall health.
You can effortlessly work berries into meals and drinks, such as juice, oil, powder, or the whole berry form. Nevertheless, to get the most from it, it should be incorporated into a balanced meal with other nutritious foods.
Consult with our certified nutritionist before incorporating sea buckthorn into your health regimen. They can help you determine the best way to incorporate it into your eating routine, taking into account your body’s needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do sea buckthorn berries do for your health?
Sea buckthorn offers numerous health benefits and is often referred to as a superfood. It helps the immune system, gives you healthy skin and hair, aids your digestion, and looks after your heart.
2. How can I add sea buckthorn to my meals?
You can enjoy sea buckthorn as juice, as an oil, in powder form, or have it whole. You can also consume the berries plain, but since they have a tart taste, most find it better to prepare them into jams or sauces.
3. Is sea buckthorn suitable for every person?
Unless otherwise advised by your doctor, sea buckthorn shouldn’t cause any significant problems and can be consumed by most people. Taking the correct dose and choosing verified brands will help achieve good results and avoid any dangers.
