Dark-coloured berries is where it’s at for dogs. They’re incredibly nutritious, packed full of some harder to find vitamins C and K and minerals like manganese. They’re also low GL (glycaemic load), particularly blackberries, meaning they don’t elevate blood sugars like other fruits, which is a good thing for dogs
Blackberries are loaded with vitamin C but are low in sodium and calories. They are an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fibre. Blackberries are also high in vitamins A, E and K, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12), as well as minerals such as copper, manganese, magnesium and potassium, and other nutrients such as pantothenic acid and folic acid.
Blackberries are also valued for their antioxidant capabilities, as they contain phytochemicals such as lutein, zeaxanthin, anthocyanins, catechins, ellagic acid, tannins, gallic acid, quercetin, cyanidins, kaempferol and salicylic acid.
Such compounds may help scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and chronic diseases. Anthocyanins, which are responsible for the fruit’s colour, were suggested to help protect against aging, inflammation, cancer and other neurological diseases.