Red Raspberry Health Benefits
Red raspberry is an edible fruit eaten as food with antioxidant properties. Wonderfully delicious, bright red-colored raspberry is among the most popular berries grown all over the world. They are rich source of health promoting plant-derived nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Red raspberry is also cultivated for its fruit, eaten fresh, used in cakes and desserts or preserved as jam and jelly. Red raspberry is also used in traditional medicine for the many health benefits it gives.
Raspberries are tiny fruit the size of grapes and blackberries. It is obviously a kind of berry which has a uniquely clump-like appearance, it’s like about a hundred clumps fused into one raspberry. They are fragile fruit which becomes tender once picked, so you might want to handle your freshly-picked raspberries with enough care and store them in a dry, safe place. Raspberry ketone is the primary aroma compound of red raspberries. It is a natural compound that is also used in cosmetics, perfumery and food to impart a fruity scent. It is considered to be one of the most expensive natural flavor components in the food industry.
Raspberry Health Benefits
1. Diet-Friendly
A cup of fresh raspberries contains about 1.5 g of protein, 8 g of dietary fiber, and 14.7 g of carbohydrates. Cholesterol-free, low in fat and sodium, and weighing in at a modest 64 calories per cup, raspberries are a good choice for dieters. The generous amount of fiber they provide with one cup supplying one-third of the daily recommended value for adults can help speed elimination and possibly promote weight loss; their natural sweetness may satisfy cravings for less wholesome foods.
2. Antioxidant
Raspberries include potent antioxidants which prevents unwanted damage to cells because of oxidation by neutralizing free radicals that are the product of the oxidation. It contains an abundant amount of flavonoids which are classified as anthocyanins, a very effective antioxidant found in healthy fruits and vegetables which give raspberries their rich red color. Flavonoids also give raspberries their anti-microbial ability and can prevent growth of fungi. They also have the capability to kill and stop the growth of cancer cells in our bodies. They have 50% more effective antioxidants than strawberries, three times the antioxidant activity of a kiwi, and ten times the antioxidant activity of tomatoes.
3. Beneficial Vitamins and Minerals
A cup of fresh raspberries contains high levels of assorted vitamins and minerals needed for healthy body functions, including 186 mg of potassium, necessary for maintaining healthy blood pressure; 31 mg of calcium, needed for bone development and growth; and 167 combined mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin. This pair of carotinoids or plant pigments can help protect against macular degeneration, an eye disease that can cause loss of vision. The same cup of raspberries also offers up 26 mcg of folate, which can prevent neural tube defects in newborns.
2. Antioxidant
Raspberries include potent antioxidants which prevents unwanted damage to cells because of oxidation by neutralizing free radicals that are the product of the oxidation. It contains an abundant amount of flavonoids which are classified as anthocyanins, a very effective antioxidant found in healthy fruits and vegetables which give raspberries their rich red color. Flavonoids also give raspberries their anti-microbial ability and can prevent growth of fungi. They also have the capability to kill and stop the growth of cancer cells in our bodies. They have 50% more effective antioxidants than strawberries, three times the antioxidant activity of a kiwi, and ten times the antioxidant activity of tomatoes.
3. Beneficial Vitamins and Minerals
A cup of fresh raspberries contains high levels of assorted vitamins and minerals needed for healthy body functions, including 186 mg of potassium, necessary for maintaining healthy blood pressure; 31 mg of calcium, needed for bone development and growth; and 167 combined mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin. This pair of carotinoids or plant pigments can help protect against macular degeneration, an eye disease that can cause loss of vision. The same cup of raspberries also offers up 26 mcg of folate, which can prevent neural tube defects in newborns.
Raspberries are believed to have compounds that are essential for healthy eyesight. The compound that is contributing to this is called lutein.
4. For Expecting Mothers
The high potassium and pantothenic levels make it an ideal fruit for pregnant women’s diet. Its vitamins A, C, and E also contribute a lot to both the baby and mother.
5. Protects Against ARMD
The disease Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which dreadfully takes away 36 % of old adults’ vision, could be prevented by a constant consumption of raspberries, about 3 servings each day. I know that is a difficult task to do every day, but the results could bring you longevity.
6. An Anti-Inflammatory
Studies showed that raspberries contain substances which can relieve inflammation, reduce the pain felt from arthritis, people with gout, asthma, and other inflammatory problems.
7. Lose Weight With Raspberries
A daily consumption of raspberries could actually get you the body you always dreamed of. The high levels of ketones in this fruit is used in Japan for losing weight in the form of pill supplements, but by eating fresh raspberries, you can loose weight naturally.
8. Makes your Skin Healthier and Fairer
The oil in raspberry seeds is now used in the cosmetics industry because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids, is rich in Vitamin E, and has a SPF of 25-50 which could protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.