Raspberries: Health Benefits, Uses & Varieties - A Comprehensive Guide

Raspberry, also called hindberry, is an edible fruit belonging to the genus Rubus of the rose family. It is believed to be a native of East Asia and North Asia. It is now widely cultivated across the world. The most common and widely available variant is the raspberry fruit.

Raspberries come in a variety of colours ranging from black, purple, red, orange, golden and white. They are the most popular berries in the world.

Several forms of raspberries are grown all over the world but red raspberries are the most cultivated of them all. These are derived from hybrid between European raspberry and American raspberry. The taste of raspberries varies from sweet to acidic, which depends on the cultivars.

Raspberry Health Benefits:

Not only are raspberries delicious to eat, they are also brimming with nutritional benefits which make them excellent for overall health. They are a rich source of vitamins, fiber and contain phyto-chemical compounds which serve as an antioxidant.

The health benefits of raspberry fruits are as follows:

1. Prevents Cancer:

Research has revealed that raspberries prevent cancer which includes breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancer by inhabiting cancer from multiplying or forming tumours.

• Phytonutrients in raspberries play an important role in lowering oxidative stress, reducing inflammation and alters the development and reproduction of cancer cells.
• Phytonutrients also change the signals that are sent to potential or existing cancer cells.
• Several phytonutrients like ellagitannins in raspberries also help to decrease cancer cell numbers by sending signals that encourage cancer cells.
• Because of the role of free radicals in the ageing process, raspberries also slow down the signs of ageing.

2. Macular Regenerative Properties:

• Raspberries protect eyes from macular degeneration because of their high content of anti-oxidants.
• Raspberries have a significant amount of antioxidants which are useful in preventing cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration of eyes.

3. Anti-inflammatory Properties:

• Raspberry prevents damage to the cell membranes and other components, reducing fungal and bacterial growth in the body.
• It also reduces allergic reactions due to anti histamic action.
• They reduce fever, diarrhoea, relieve bladder and prevent urinary tract infection.

4. Weight Management:

• Eating raspberries helps to maintain a healthy weight in several ways.
• It is rich in soluble fiber that provides a sense of fullness which halts from over eating.
• The carbohydrates in this fruit are released slowly. This prevents sudden increase and decrease in blood sugar levels which helps to control hunger and cravings.
• They are low in calories and are rich in soluble fiber which keeps the stomach full and reduces regular hunger pangs.

5. Obesity:

Rheosmin is the raspberry ketone that is found in raspberries.

• The raspberry ketones increase metabolism in our fat cells by increasing enzyme activity, oxygen consumption and heat production in certain types of fat cells.
• By boosting fat metabolism, there are dim chances of fats to deposit in our cells. This leads to using up of stored fats.
• Fat metabolism also leads to reduction of pro inflammatory messaging molecules that are produced by our fat cells.

6. Healthy Tissues and Blood Vessels:

• Vitamin C in raspberries is necessary for growth and repair of the cells in the body.
• It aids the body to make and repair cells of the skin, bones, ligaments and blood vessels.

7. Manganese:

• Manganese is abundant in raspberries. This mineral makes up the compound called superoxide dismutase which fights free radicals.
• It also decreases premenstrual syndrome, improves bone health, decreases arthritis pain and provides protection against low density lipoprotein cholesterol in diabetes.

8. Controls Diabetes:

• Raspberries have a low glycemic index which results in carbohydrates breaking up slowly and thus slows down the release of sugar in the blood.
• This causes a low demand of insulin from the body and is beneficial for diabetic patients.
• It helps to lower the risk of developing diabetes.

9. Raspberry Leaves:

• Tea made of raspberry leaves regulates periods, relieves cramps and encourages speedy child birth.
• It also fortifies mother’s milk.
• The leaves cure sore throat and other digestive disorders.
• It also tones the reproductive system.
• So do make sure that you include raspberries in your daily diet. Enjoy these amazing raspberry health benefits.

Raspberry Skin Benefits:

10. Antioxidants-rich:

• Raspberries come with a very high content of antioxidants. It is a well-known fact that antioxidants make your skin age slowly.
• Raspberries have 10 times the amount of antioxidants found in tomatoes.

11. Beautiful Complexion:

• Red raspberries contain anthocyanins, the nutrients which are extremely essential for maintaining a youthful skin and a beautiful complexion too.
• They lend the beautiful color to raspberries and can do the same to you too.
• Anthocyanins also help you fight against bacteria and fungi.

PREV POST PAGE 1 2NEXT