Red Raspberry Seeds
Red raspberries have a rich history in traditional medicine that date back to the first century. They are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants. Red raspberries have many important health benefits that include the following:
- Acts as a treatment for heart disease
- Has antioxidants that help prevent cancer
- May aid in weight loss
- Helps hair growth
- Promotes anti-aging
- Has antibacterial properties
- Provides neuroprotective effects
- Benefits those with diabetes
The red raspberry is a unique berry with historical significance. Dating all the way back to the first century, red raspberries were first gathered in the wild by the people of Troy from the foothills of the great Mt. Ida. The Romans spread the cultivation of red raspberries throughout Europe, where they, over time, began to be used for medicinal purposes.
Today, research tells us that red raspberries have many outstanding health benefits. Scientist and researcher Christina Cook, PhD states, “I have reviewed and studied the available literature that assesses the health-promoting potential of red raspberries and the components it possesses in modulating metabolic disease risk, especially obesity, Alzheimer disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. It has become increasingly clear that there is a potential role for red raspberries in reducing the risk of metabolically based chronic diseases. I love red raspberry seed and the actually berry because they are great for the hair, skin, and body as far as anti-aging and the overall immune system.”
Raspberries come from a plant species in the rose family. Of all the many types of raspberries (black, golden and purple), the red raspberry is the most common. They are native to northern Asia and Europe, but today most are grown in the northwestern portion of the United States.
Raspberries are usually harvested during the summer and fall months, and have a relatively short shelf life. They should be eaten as shortly after purchasing as possible.
Red raspberries contain strong antioxidants like Vitamin C, gallic acid and quercetin. These antioxidants help us fight against major diseases including cancer, heart disease, and circulatory disease. They have also been shown to be beneficial for age-related decline.
Red raspberries are also high in ellagic acid which have known anti-inflammatory properties. Ellagic acid is considered to be chemo-preventative as well.
In addition to their disease-fighting potential, red raspberries are among the highest known whole-food sources of dietary fiber. Just 1 cup contains 32% of the daily recommended value. They are rich in vitamins and minerals like magnesium, potassium, Vitamin K, iron and calcium.
Red raspberries contain phytochemical components too. They influence cell signaling pathways that, in turn, effect things like receptors, transporters, and gene expression.
The oil from red raspberries are gaining attention in the cosmeceutical industry. It has healthy skin components like vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids and is considered to have a SPF of 24 – 50. This great combo of nutrients and bioactive components helps red raspberries have a very protective role in human health.
Raspberries are a great source of fiber and vitamin C in particular. They are low in calories and have many nutrients that benefit our bodies. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional components of the red raspberry.
1 cup of red raspberries contains:
Fiber: 8 grams
Protein: 1.5 grams
Fat: 0.8 grams
Carbs: 14.7 grams
Vitamin C: 54% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
Manganese: 41% of the RDI
Magnesium: 7% of the RDI
Phosphorus: 4% of the RDI
Potassium: 5% of the RDI
Copper: 6% of the RDI
Iron: 5% of the RDI
Vitamin K: 12% of the RDI
Vitamin E: 5% of the RDI
B vitamins: 4–6% of the RDI
Hair and Skin
A red raspberry contains about 200 molecules that help give it a distinct flavor. One of those molecules is called red raspberry ketones. These ketones show potential in both improving hair growth and increasing skin elasticity. One study showed that after .01% red raspberry ketone was applied to the scalp, it promoted hair growth in 50% of people with alopecia during a 5 month period. It also increased skin elasticity in just two weeks. This tells us that red raspberry ketones help activate the sensory neurons which, in turn, stimulates hair growth and skin elasticity.
In recent years, you may have heard a lot of talk about red raspberries and weight loss. However, there have only been a handful of preliminary studies done, none of which were conducted on humans. But there are some studies involving mice that yielded promising results. In one study, mice were fed three different kinds of diets —- low-fat, high-fat and a high fat diet supplemented with one of 8 berries, including raspberries. The results showed that mice in the red raspberry group gained less weight than mice that were fed only on a high fat diet.
A different study showed that raspberry ketones increased the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. In 2010, the journal Planta Medical found raspberry ketones caused fat cells to secret more of the protein adiponectin. People who are obese often have low levels of adiponectin in their bodies.
In 2017 a study in Denmark found that raspberry ketone itself may not reduce body fat. Researchers discovered that mice given a high fat diet and raspberry ketones gained less weight than mice not given ketones. However, the mice eating ketones didn’t eat as much as the other mice, so researchers concluded that the red raspberry ketones didn’t reduce fat any more than a low-calorie diet would.
More research needs to be conducted to determine whether or not red raspberry can have a significant effect on weight loss. We do know that raspberries are a filling, low calorie food that are high in fiber and nutritious for the body.
Raspberries are a significant source of antioxidants. We know that antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which can help reduce the signs of aging. They’ve also been linked to longer lifespans in animals.
Among other vitamins, there is a high level of vitamin C in raspberries. That vitamin C helps improve collage production in the skin and may even reverse the damage caused by harmful ultra violet rays.
In one study conducted over an 8 week period, aging rats were fed a diet with 1% or 2% raspberries. They showed improved strength, balance and motor functions —- all important factors in aging.
When it comes to eye health, red raspberries have some great qualities going for them. For one, they contain the antioxidant zeaxanthin. It filters out harmful blue light rays and may help to ward of macular degeneration. If you have 3 or more servings a day of raspberries, it may decrease both the risk, or the progression, of the disease. In general, zeaxathin plays a protective role for the eyes.
The vitamin C found in raspberries is another plus for eyes. It’s been shown to keep eyes healthy by protecting them against the damage caused by UV light.
Cardiovascular disease causes millions of deaths a year globally. Often it is related to cells and tissues that begin to function irregularly due to oxidative stress. Studies tell us that disease-fighting compounds — antioxidants like vitamin c, quercetin and gallic acid — in red raspberries can help to fight oxidative stress. They help to lower the risk of atherosclerosis, reduce blood pressure, and improve the vasodilation of blood vessels in the body.
Red raspberries are low in fat and high in polyphenols — both of which help reduce the risk of heart disease. They’re also full of heart healthy fiber and manganese. In addition, red raspberries and raspberry extracts have anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce the risk of heart related illnesses.
Both red raspberries and their extracts contain some great cancer fighting properties. Antioxidants like anthocyanins and ellagitannins help fight against this deadly disease. In test-tube studies, red raspberry was found to block the growth of new cells, and destroy existing cancer cells in colon, prostate, mouth, and breast cancer.
At the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, tests showed the human body absorbs the ellagic acid from red raspberries. Ellagic acid has been proved to cause cell death, or apoptosis, in certain cancer cells.
In one test-tube study, red raspberry extract killed a whopping 90% of breast, stomach and colon cancer cells. While another study showed that an antioxidant in red raspberries caused 40% of ovarian cancer cells to die.
Animals studies are showing promising results as well. Red raspberry extract appears to be reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of cancer, as well as preventing the growth of liver cancer in mice.
In addition to test-tube and animal studies, more human studies are needed so that red raspberry can be conclusively linked to cancer treatment and prevention.
The anti-inflammatory properties of red raspberries may help to reduce symptoms of arthritis. By blocking an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain, COX-2, they are believed to play a protective role.
One animal study showed that red raspberry extract helped to lower the risk of arthritis in rats and cause them to experience less severe symptoms. Another showed that mice who consumed the extract had less swelling and join destruction than mice who did not receive red raspberry.
The glycemic index, or GI, measures how quickly a food can increase your blood sugar level. Most berries fall into the low glycemic category. A variety of studies are showing that red raspberry may lower blood sugar and help to improve insulin resistance for people suffering from diabetes.
In animal studies, mice fed freeze-dried red raspberries had less insulin resistance and lower blood sugar that those fed a high fat diet. They also had less evidence of fatty liver disease.
Raspberries are a low carb, high fiber food. They help to block alpha-amylase and reduce the number of carbs your body absorbs. This lessens the impact on blood sugar.
A review of a variety of animal studies tells us that red raspberries and their extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that may reduce the rick of chronic disease like diabetes.
Red raspberries are proving themselves to be helpful for the human brain. They are among the very few plant foods that are a great source of ellegitannis and anthocyanins. Researchers believe they can significantly help stave off the loss of brain function.
A comprehensive review of scientific literature in “Advances in Nutrition” showed that raspberries have many anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and metabolic stabilizing properties. Although studies are limited on the role of red raspberries in reducing Alzheimer’s disease, there is a mound of evidence that its polyphenol components reduce inflammation, oxidative stress and improve insulin signaling. This may help to reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer’s, and even slow down the aging process.
Red raspberry is likely safe for most people when eaten in food amounts and possibly safe when taken in larger amounts as a supplement.
Get emergency help if you have any of these signs of allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat.
Little to no side effects from red raspberry have currently been reported. However, if they are contaminated with bacteria or viruses, they could cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
It is likely safe to eat red raspberry in food amounts during pregnancy. The leaf is possibly safe in medicinal amounts during late pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Red raspberry leaf is commonly used by midwives to ease delivery. However, don’t take it on your own. The concern is that it might act like estrogen and harm the pregnancy. Not enough is known about taking red raspberry leaf during breast-feeding. It’s best to stay on the safe side and avoid its use.
In the case of hormone-sensitive diseases like breast, uterine or ovarian cancer, or endometriosis or uterine fibroids, red raspberry may act like estrogen. If you have any condition that estrogen may make worse, don’t use red raspberry.
The appropriate use of red raspberry depends on factors like age, health and several other conditions. There is not enough scientific info to determine an appropriate range of doses. Ask your physician or health care provider before taking red raspberry as a supplement.
General Information and Overview
https://www.livestrong.com/article/413163-are-raspberry-seeds-healthy/ *** for info, sources already listed
Hair and Skin
Side Effects, Interactions, Dosing