CONTACT DETAILS

                                                  Telephone   01386 833753

                                                                 Email   office@vicaragenurseries.co.uk

                                            Weston Road, Bretforton,, Worcestershire  WR11 7HW

ABOUT

Vicarage Nurseries is a family run business, established in 1996 with its aim to grow and supply quality British produce to the market. Today, Vicarage Nurseries has grown into a multi-award winning company supplying top class soft fruit to leading retailers across the UK.

Arriving in the UK in 1966 from Punjab, India, Makhan Singh Padda, founder and owner of Vicarage Nurseries, worked in foundries, fields, markets and pack houses before venturing into agriculture.

With the belief that anything is possible, Mr Padda opened his business without any prior knowledge of growing soft fruit. Starting as a 1 man operation in 96′, Vicarage Nurseries now employs 15 full time staff, with up to 500 seasonal workers.

Vicarage Nurseries can now proudly stand next to Britain’s elite soft fruit growers.

What’s so nutritionally good about strawberries?
Strawberries contain a range of nutrients, with vitamin C heading the group. They also contain significant levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants, which fight free radicals. These antioxidant properties are believed to be linked to what makes the strawberry bright red. So what are these weird free radicals? Free radicals are elements that can damage cells, and they are thought to contribute to the formation of many kinds of cancer. In addition to vitamin C, strawberries also provide an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, as well as folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Health Benefits

Health Benefits Given their unique combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, it’s not surprising to see strong research support for strawberry health benefits in three major areas: cardiovascular support and prevention of cardiovascular diseases improved regulation of blood sugar, with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, and prevention of certain cancer types including breast, cervical, colon, and esophageal cancer. In this section, we’ll review the outstanding research-based benefits of strawberries in each area.

Delicious raspberries are low in calories and saturated fats but are rich source of dietary fiber and anti-oxidants.100 g berries provide just 52 calories but contain 6.5 g of fiber.

Raspberries have significantly high levels of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid (a tannin), quercetin, gallic acid, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol and salicylic acid. Scientific studies show that these antioxidant compounds in these berries have potential health benefits against cancer, aging, inflammation, and neuro-degenerative diseases

Xylitol, a low-calorie sugar substitute extracted from raspberries. Xylitol contains just 9.6 calories, as compared to one teaspoon of sugar, which has 15 calories. Xylitol absorbs more slowly than sugar and does not contribute to high blood sugar levels; can be helpful in diabetics.
Fresh raspberries are excellent source of vitamin-C, which is also a powerful natural anti-oxidant. 100 g berries provide 26.2 mg of vitamin C. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation, and scavenge harmful free radicals.

Raspberry contains anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin A, and vitamin E. In addition to the above mentioned antioxidants, is also rich in many other health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin,and beta carotene in small amounts. Altogether, these compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.
Raspberry has an ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of about 4900 per 100 grams, crediting it among the top-ranked ORAC fruits.

Raspberries contain good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, iron and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells.

They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins and vitamin K. Contain very good amounts of vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, and folic acid. These vitamins are function as co-factors and help body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fats.