The Rahma Forest Garden in Syracuse, New York is home to 31 different plant species. These plants have varying nutritional values and health impacts. This page explores the importance of different vitamins, minerals, and components found in these species to better understand why fruits and vegetables impact the body differently. Afterwards, it will go over what the nutritional value present in each plant species present in the garden is and their impact. This page also explores how nutritional values change based on food processing and cooking methods.

Importance of Different Dietary Components:

Table 1. Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, and Dietary Fiber Importance

Name Importance
Protein Build and repair muscle and bones
Hormone and enzyme production
Energy source
Fat Energy
Skin and hair health
Body insulation
Vitamin A, D, E, and K absorption
Carbohydrate Major energy source
Dietary Fiber Bowel movement
Lower cholesterol
Control blood sugar

Table 2. Different Vitamins Importance

Vitamin Importance
A Vision
Immune system
Reproduction
Proper organ function
Growth and development
B1 Cell growth and function
B3 Aids in enzymatic reactions
Nutrition conversion into energy
Cholesterol and fat creations
DNA repair
Antioxidant effects
B6 Brain development
Proper nervous and immune system functions
B9 DNA and RNA formation
Needed for protein metabolism
Red blood cell production
C Antioxidant properties
E Enhance immune function
Prevent blood clots
Antioxidant properties
K Wound healing
Important during blood clothing

Table 3. Different Minerals Importance

Mineral Importance
Potassium Fluid level maintenance in cells
Prevention of chronic diseases
Calcium Bone health
Phosphorus Bone health
Needed in cell membranes
Muscle and nerve regulation
Magnesium Enzymatic reactions
Protein synthesis
Muscle and nerve function
Blood sugar and pressure regulation
Energy production
Iron Oxygen transportation via blood
Oxygen storage
Protein and enzyme component
Zinc Immune system and metabolism
Wound healing
Taste and smell sensation
Copper Red blood cell formation
Collagen formation
Iron absorption
Energy production
Nerve and immune functions
Manganese Connective tissue, bone, sex hormone formation
Sugar regulation
Calcium absorption and metabolism
Sodium Plasma volume maintenance
Acid-base balance
Nerve and cell function

Species Present in Rahma Forest Garden and their Nutritional Value:

Note: The following information was collected through research of already presented material on the internet. Credible sources (websites ending in .net, .org, .gov, etc, and/or authors and/or reviewers with proper credentials) were used. Despite this, the information is to be informative and not a guide or health and medical suggestion. Much of the health benefits are still being researched (a correlation was found or it was done on an animal subject) and some have not had human subject research done yet. The composition, vitamins, and minerals are also not an extensive list of nutritional value present in the fruits but simply the ones that came up during the research from multiple sources.

  1. Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba)

    1. Nutrition composition
      1. Composition
        1. Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber
      2. Vitamins
        1. A, B1, B2, B3, C
      3. Minerals
        1. Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Sodium
    2. Potential Health Benefits
      1. Cancer fighting properties
      2. Head lice removal
      3. High in antioxidants
      4. Healthy digestion
      5. Support in blood sugar control
      6. Block microbial growth
      7. Improve bone health
      8. Prevent iron deficiency
    3. Other
      1. Seasonal
        1. August to October
      2. Consumption
        1. Remove skin
        2. Can be eaten raw or baked or used in beverages

  2. Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

    1. Nutrition composition
      1. Composition
        1. Protein, Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber
      2. Vitamins
        1. B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, K
      3. Minerals
        1. Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Sodium
    2. Potential Health Benefits
      1. Reduce cancer risk
      2. Reduce chronic disease risk
      3. Lower blood pressure
      4. Improve heart health
      5. High antioxidants
      6. Help diabetes management
      7. Improve immune function
      8. Reduce UTI risk
      9. Protective effects for liver
      10. Anti-inflammatory properties
    3. Other
      1. Appearance
        1. Small, dark
        2. Grows in shrubs
      2. Consumption
        1. Can be eaten raw, baked, juiced/ in smoothies, put in tea or coffee

  3. Plum (Prunus domestica)

    1. Nutrition composition
      1. Composition
        1. Protein, Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber
      2. Vitamins
        1. A, B3, C, E, K
      3. Minerals
        1. Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Cooper, Manganese
    2. Potential Health Benefits
      1. Help with eyesight
      2. Improve immune system
      3. Good for heart health
      4. Good for reproductive health
      5. Good for lung health
      6. Good for kidney health
      7. High antioxidants
      8. Increase iron absorption
      9. Improve digestive health
      10. Good for bone health
      11. Reduce LDL
      12. Increase HDL
    3. Other
      1. Consumption
        1. Can be eaten raw, cooked, baked, dried, or juiced

  4. Peach (P. persica)

    1. Nutrition composition
      1. Composition
        1. Protein, Carbohydrate, Dietary Fiber
      2. Vitamins
        1. A, N1, B2, B3, B6, C, E K