The Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries
When it comes to raspberries’ health benefits, the list is quite extensive. These small fruits provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients in a small package.
Raspberries are considered to be an aggregate fruit, meaning that each berry is actually a collection of many smaller individual fruits. These fruits each contain a seed and plenty of different vitamins and minerals. Raspberries are perhaps best known as a source of ellagic acid, but they also contain a host of other benefits. Here’s a brief overview of the health benefits of raspberries, and some additional nutrition information on this popular fruit.
Health benefits of raspberries
Vitamin and Fiber Protective Properties
Raspberries are full of riboflavin, niacin, folate, potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, copper, iron, lutein, and are a rich source of vitamin C. They are also an excellent source of dietary fiber, 20% by weight. This means raspberries are a low-glycemic fruit that has a minimal impact on blood glucose, important news for diabetics.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Protective Properties
Raspberries are an antioxidant food that contains ellagic acid. This antioxidant helps prevent cell damage by neutralizing free radicals that cause cell damage. Cell damage leads to degenerative disease. In addition to ellagic acid, raspberries also contain a flavonoid that is antimicrobial in nature. That means it limits the ability of certain fungi and bacteria in the body, like yeast or bacteria that cause infections. The antioxidant is the substance that provides the deep red color of the raspberry.
Cancer Protective Properties
Recent research on animals suggests that raspberries may have properties to protect you from cancer by inhibiting cancer cells from multiplying or forming tumors. This particular antioxidant compound is exclusive to raspberries. That alone makes eating raspberries more than just a taste treat. In general, fruit is important in the fight against cancer, according to research published in Cancer Letters. And raspberries are higher in antioxidants than strawberries and many other fruits, making raspberries one excellent fruit choice for health.
Macular Degenerative Protective Properties
Raspberries help protect eye sight from macular degeneration, because as a fruit, raspberries contain high amounts of antioxidants. According to the Archives of Ophthalmology, a person who eats at least 3 servings of fruit per day has a lower risk of macular degeneration than one who consumes half as much or less. Because of its high antioxidant activity, raspberries qualify as a great fruit source for eye health.
Reduces wrinkles
Raspberries works like magic on wrinkles. It can be used as a natural face mask. It also protects the skin against the sun rays. The antioxidant powers from vitamin C effectively reduce the age spots and discoloration. By filling in minor wrinkles, raspberries help you to restore your youth. Raspberries can be made into great facial masks for glowing skin; you just need to mix 1 cup of plain yogurt and 2 cups of fresh raspberries, blend the mixture until it gets completely smooth. Apply the mixture to your entire face and keep it for 15 minutes. Then wash it off with tepid water.
Helps to lose weight
This fruit is high in dietary fiber and manganese. Fiber aids in slowing down the digestive process so that you will feel full longer. The trace mineral manganese keeps your metabolic rate high, and thereby burns fat. If you are looking forward to lose weight, raspberries can be the best natural option.
Sources:
3fatchicks.com
voices.yahoo.com
organicfacts.net
Other links:
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