We always perceive fragrant, juicy, sweet and incredibly tasty raspberry as a treat. However, its uniqueness is not only in taste, but also in content. Let us find out, what health benefits do different kinds of raspberry have.
Raspberry has always been considered as a healing product. There are many recipes of folk medicine, known for centuries. In ancient times, raspberry has even been used as a remedy. For example, some Ancient Greek scientists has been using it to cure some diseases. Nowadays, we use the berry as a sweet dessert component or just as is. Anyway, it does have a lot of vitamins and microelements inside, which our body needs.
Raspberry Health Benefits
Red Raspberry
First of all, that is a nice source of vitamins (find out raspberry nutrition content here). It is used to throw off colds, acute respiratory infections and angina. The thing is red raspberry contains salicylic acid, which is known to be a nice diaphoretic and antipyretic agent. Moreover, this berry has no negative effect on the body, while some drugs may be harmful.
Raspberry is a top product, filled with antioxidants. These substances help to fight any signs of aging and keep your immune system fit. A high concentration of vitamin C supplements this effect. In addition, this berry contains a lot of Magnesium, which is good for heart rate.
Let us make a short list of all red raspberry health benefits:
- For those who suffer from gastrointestinal tract diseases, raspberry helps to stop vomiting and diarrhea, improves appetite and reduces pain in stomach.
- A rich vitamin composition strengthens the body and helps to fight beriberi. It is extremely beneficial to consume raspberry in spring and autumn.
- Beta-sitosterols prevent the accumulation of cholesterol on blood vessels; phytosterols reduce the risk of atherosclerosis; coumarins normalize blood coagulability and lower the level of prothrombin.
- This food product improves kidney function and relieves swelling of bladder.
- It’s useful in leukemia, anemia, diabetes, infertility and gynecological diseases.
Black Raspberry
Another kind of raspberry is a black one. It looks almost the same as red, except for the color, of course. Black raspberry is often confused with blackberry. Scientists from Ohio argue that this black berry is many times more useful than its red “sister”. The main useful property of this kind is the ability to prevent cancer development. Anti-cancer effect is possible due to the large content of antioxidants. They neutralize harmful and destructive effect of free radicals on cellular structures.
In addition, black raspberry contains more regular vitamin and calories. It is sweeter and more nutritious, meaning you can use less quantity for making a salad or some jam.
Golden Raspberry
Golden raspberry has a yellow color (obviously), which manifests due to less quantity of vitamins and nutrients. This means this product contains more water. Therefore, why is it even cultivated? The answer is its non-allergic properties. The low content of anthocyanin makes it safe for children, pregnant women and all those who suffer from allergies. In addition, it contains more folic acid, which is “responsible” for the health of circulatory system. Golden raspberry is also highly useful for those who tries to make a child.
Is There Any Difference in Wild Raspberries?
We mostly buy raspberry in supermarkets, where it is taken from greenhouses and gardens. There are many different sorts of this berry, made by men. However, there is also a wild one that grows in forests or on meadows. Is it different from artificially grown? Well, talking about content, it is not. Wild raspberry contains just the same amount of nutrients and vitamins. Nevertheless, the one from stores is significantly more juicy and big. That is the only reason wild one is worse.
What is Good in Dried Raspberry Leaves?
Leaves of raspberry bushes are also very beneficial for your body, as they have a fairly rich biochemical composition. As well as tea from berries, decoction from leaves of this berry is used for treatment of cold, flu and bronchitis. The reason is these leaves contain six times more vitamin C than berries themselves.
Dried raspberry leaves are used not only as an antipyretic and diaphoretic remedy, but also as an expectorant. You can rinse your throat with decoction of leaves to fight inflammations and angina. Moreover, it can help to normalize blood pressure and heart rate.
Mash from fresh raspberry leaves can be used to cure acne and inflammation on the skin. You just need to grind freshly cleaned and washed leaves and apply this mass to your face as a mask.
Should You Freeze Raspberries?
Any frozen product can be stored for months, even years. Raspberry is no difference. However, will it remain all the vitamins and minerals? The answer is ‘yes’.
When you freeze some berries, you slow down any chemical processes, which are happing inside of a berry. This means, when you unfreeze it, its properties will be almost the same as when you have frozen it.
Remember that you should not freeze berries twice.
Frozen raspberry can be used in any time of a year. Imagine making a nice fruit salad or fresh juice from this sweet food, while it is snowing outside! This is awesome, not to talk about all those vitamins you will get.
Health Benefits of Raspberry for Women
This tasty berry is particularly useful for women. In addition to everything mentioned above, raspberry has a positive effect on female body. Decoction from leaves or berries stimulates musculature of uterus. It is important for those who tries to get pregnant. Folic acid is also necessary at the initial stages of pregnancy. Raspberry tea is used to normalize the menstrual cycle. It reduces pain during menstruation. Also the quite important thing is that this berry has a low caloric value.
Raspberry can be used as a cosmetic agent; using it as a mask improves the complexion, smooth out small wrinkles.
However, be careful with raspberry during pregnancy: it can cause an allergic reaction or provoke tonus of uterus. Make sure to consult with a doctor.
May Children Eat Raspberries?
It is a nice idea to give your child 1-2 berries from 3 years old. This way his/her immune system will receive a necessary amount of vitamins and nutrients. It is even more important to use it during seasonal flu epidemics. However, consult with a doctor first to make sure there is no allergic reaction.
Contraindications for Consuming Raspberry
You should not eat raspberries during an exacerbation of kidney disease, nephritis, kidney stone disease, stomach ulcers or gastritis. It is not recommended to consume it, if you use some anti-clotting drugs. Consult with your doctor to find out whether you have any allergy.
Raspberry is a truly delicious berry. Its taste is something beyond any other. Moreover, nothing can be compared with health benefits of any kind of raspberry. You should use it to fight any flu or viral infection. It also prevent many serious deceases, such as hypertension, ulcer and even cancer. In addition, masks from this delicious berry are extremely good for your skin.
