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Sea buckthorn is even said to help with weight loss.
June 8, 2025
Birgitta Dunckel
Small berries with a big impact: Why the superfood sea buckthorn is so healthy and how it works
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Researchers at Memorial University in Newfoundland (Canada) agree: The bittersweet berry Beere has the potential to be a superstar among nature's nutrient-rich wonder weapons. Not only is it exceptionally healthy, but it also helps with weight loss.
The resilient shrubs (Hippophae rhamnoides) are native to the sandy coastal areas of Europe and Asia. In Germany, they are mainly found in the coastal areas of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Especially common on Sylt, Föhr, and Amrum, but also along the Baltic coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Not new: The berries are packed with vitamins – our grandmothers already knew that. They are bursting with Vitamin C – which is why the plant is also called the lemon of the North, with the small berry containing up to ten times more vitamin C than its yellow counterpart.
The power berry supports the immune system and is important for skin health. It is also rich in vitamin E, provitamin A, iron, magnesium and calcium. Sea buckthorn contains a variety of antioxidants that help fight cell damage. Omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids strengthen the cardiovascular system and have anti-inflammatory effects.
By the way, the lemon of the north is one of the few plant foods that contain vitamin B12, which is otherwise mainly found in meat, fish, eggs, and milk. This makes the fruit very interesting for vegans and vegetarians.
@ Ekaterina Bolovtsova
Sea buckthorn is also called the lemon of the north
It is one of the best plant sources of palmitoleic acid (omega-7 fatty acid). This acid is said to balance high carbohydrate intake and thus prevent overweight. Additionally, vitamin B12 helps to break down hunger-inducing fatty acids, vitamin C boosts fat burning, and polyphenols positively influence well-being.
In an experiment with mice, researchers found that taking sea buckthorn inhibits weight gain because the hormone leptin, which is responsible for hunger, is reduced.
What worked for the mice also works for humans: In a study with overweight subjects, the power berry caused the waist circumference to shrink by one centimeter per month. The craving for sweets decreased – even caffeine and nicotine were easier for the subjects to give up.
It is therefore reasonable to assume that the superfood promotes a healthier lifestyle and puts an end to numerous vices.
The small berries are quite sour when eaten pure, so many people turn to other forms of ingestion. Sea buckthorn is available as a powder, capsule, juice, oil, and tea. You can of course also process the berries into jam or compote.
Sea buckthorn is also often used in cosmetics and is used for its healing powers for neurodermatitis, acne, and eczema, as it has disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effects. For external use, there are creams, ointments, and oils. The lemon of the north can also effectively help with sun allergies and sunburns.
Since the berries are very acidic when raw, they can cause stomach problems in sensitive people if consumed in large amounts. Otherwise, the fruit is very well tolerated and side effects are not to be expected.
