I first encountered this fruit in a small village high in the Himalayas. A farmer there, a man in his eighties who still worked his fields from dawn to dusk, had skin that was smooth, eyes that were clear, and an energy that most people half his age would envy. I asked him what he ate that kept him so healthy. He walked to a bush growing at the edge of his property, a tangle of silver-green leaves covered in bright orange berries, and picked a handful. He told me he had been eating these berries every day for over sixty years.

Sea buckthorn.

I had heard of it before but never paid much attention. He insisted I try them. The berries were tart and intense, nothing like the sweet fruits I was used to. But within minutes of eating them, I felt a subtle shift in my energy. My mouth stopped feeling dry. My eyes, which had been tired from traveling, felt less strained.

I spent the next week learning everything I could about this remarkable fruit. What I discovered changed the way I think about food.

What Makes Sea Buckthorn a Top Superfruit

Sea buckthorn berries contain an extraordinary range of nutrients that are rarely found together in a single food. They are one of the few plant sources of all omega-3, omega-6, omega-7, and omega-9 fatty acids. Omega-7 is particularly rare and is known for its ability to support the health of your mucous membranes, including the lining of your digestive tract, your eyes, and your respiratory system.

The berries also contain more vitamin C than oranges, more vitamin E than wheat germ oil, and significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B complex, and vitamin K. They are rich in flavonoids and carotenoids that protect your cells from oxidative damage and support cardiovascular health.

What Sea Buckthorn Can Do for Your Body

It supports your skin from the inside. The omega-7 fatty acids help your skin retain moisture and elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and dryness. People who consume sea buckthorn regularly often notice that their skin looks more hydrated and heals faster from cuts and scrapes.

It supports your eyes. The vitamin A and carotenoids in the berries protect your retina and help maintain clear vision as you age.

It supports your heart. The healthy fats and antioxidants help reduce inflammation in your blood vessels and support healthy cholesterol levels.

It supports your digestion. The omega-7 fatty acids help maintain the integrity of your intestinal lining, which is important for nutrient absorption and preventing leaky gut.

It supports your immune system. The high concentration of vitamins and antioxidants helps your body fight off infections and recover faster from illness.

How to Use Sea Buckthorn

The berries are too tart to eat fresh for most people. The easiest way to consume them is as an oil or a juice. A teaspoon of sea buckthorn oil taken daily provides a concentrated dose of the beneficial fatty acids. The juice can be mixed with sweeter juices to make it more palatable.

A Fruit That Changed My Health

I have been taking sea buckthorn oil daily since returning from the Himalayas. My skin is more hydrated. My eyes feel less strained at the end of the day. My digestion is smoother. The farmer who introduced me to this fruit was in his eighties and still working his fields. He credited sea buckthorn for his health. After experiencing its effects myself, I understand why.

For more surprising stories that will leave you speechless, check out She Looked Like Any Civilian. Then the Range Officer Saw Her ID., The Torn Shirt Revealed Something That Silenced an Entire Training Yard, and The General Looked Past the Captain and Said One Word That Made the Whole Field Go Silent.