Do Mulberries Contain Copper? (Answered)

Until now, we’ve been discussing the nutritional content of mulberries in detail. We discussed essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, etc. Keeping the chain connected, today we bring you the mineral content of mulberries with a particular focus on the amount of copper in them. 

The mineral content is crucial to any fruit, vegetable, or food item because of its fantastic health benefits and horrible harms. Minerals, if given in the right amount, ensure adequate growth and development, e.g., calcium and phosphorous are good for bones. However, if their amount exceeds, it can end up in mineral toxicity which is very harmful and may cause general body pain, fever, nausea, allergies, etc. 

Let’s now see what minerals are present in mulberries. 

Minerals in mulberries 

Besides nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, etc., mulberries also have the following minerals; 

1. Potassium – 194mg
2. Calcium – 39mg 
3. Magnesium – 18mg 
4. Sodium – 10mg 
5. Iron – 1.85 mg
6. Zinc – 0.12 mg 
7. Copper – 60 mcg 
8. Selenium – 0.6 mcg 

Note all these amounts are for 100 grams of mulberries. (Source) 

Well, the list certainly answers the subject in question. Yes, mulberries do have copper, along with other minerals. The amount of copper in the mulberries is 60 micrograms (mcg) or 0.06 milligrams (mg), which is around 6% of the required daily value. 

Are mulberries a good source of copper?

A human body, on average, needs around 900 mcg or 0.9 mg of copper in a day.^[1]https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Copper-Consumer/ Plus, the upper limit ranges to 10,000 mcg or 10 mg daily. However, the daily value of copper differs with different age groups. 

Here is a chart representing the required amount of copper for different age groups. 

Besides, pregnant and lactating women require 1000 mcg and 1300 mcg of copper, respectively.

Since the amount of the respective mineral is considerably low in mulberries, a person must also acquire it from other healthy sources. 

Mulberries are undoubtedly a healthy source of the mineral, but they may not be able to meet your daily requirement. In that case, you must consider eating high-protein food like fish, nuts, organ meat, shellfish, whole grains, and chocolate. All these food can quickly provide you with a sufficient amount of copper. 

It must be noted that mineral intake must be carefully monitored because both low and excessive intake significantly affects your health. A moderate intake is always the best option! 

Here are some notable aspects of copper on your body. 

Health benefits of copper

Being a vital component of the body, copper aids in the prevention of many diseases and dangerous health situations.

It helps the body produce red blood cells along with iron. It contributes to iron absorption and maintains strong bones, blood vessels, nerves, and the immune system.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure are associated with low copper levels.

Having insufficient copper can cause neutropenia. This is a lack of neutrophils, white blood cells that combat infection. Consequently, an infectious condition is more likely to strike a person with low copper levels.

Osteoporosis risk and severe copper insufficiency are linked to decreased bone mineral density.

Your body’s principal structural proteins, collagen and elastin depend heavily on copper for maintenance. According to scientific theories, copper may have antioxidant capabilities, and when combined with other antioxidants, a healthy diet may help delay the aging process of the skin.

The body cannot repair damaged connective tissue or the collagen that forms the bone’s structure without enough copper. As biological tissues start to degrade, this can cause several complications, including joint dysfunction.

Finally, copper’s antioxidant properties may contribute to a decrease in the generation of free radicals. Free radicals can harm DNA and cells, resulting in cancer and other illnesses.   

What happens if you take too much cooper?

If you consume too much copper, it can be dangerous for your overall well-being. For instance, regularly drinking too much copper can harm the liver and result in cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver damage. 

In healthy people, copper poisoning is relatively uncommon. But those with Wilson’s disease, an unusual genetic illness, are susceptible to it. 

It mainly occurs if drinking water in your house or business contains copper due to copper-containing water pipes. 

See also:Vitamin K is in Mulberries.

Final Thoughts 

Mulberries are an excellent source of a variety of minerals, including copper. However, the amount of copper in mulberries is considerably low. It may not be wise to rely on it as the only source to acquire the mineral. 

Consider other food sources to ensure you get enough copper because it is crucial for your health!