Raspberries are closely related to the blackberry and strawberry. Raspberries and blackberries are collectively known as "bramble" fruits, which are fruits formed by the aggregation of several smaller fruits, called drupelets.
Raspberries are one of the top fruit sources of fiber, and also contain phosphorus and selenium, and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Raspberries are rich in a variety of unique antioxidants and phytochemicals associated with fighting disease. Like other berries, they are high in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that give the raspberry its vivid color and help the body produce cells to fight off unwanted invaders. These flavonoids also have antimicrobial effects that prevent the proliferation of bacteria and fungi in the digestive system. One of these, candida albicans, causes the infection thrush and has also been linked with digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Health Benefits
As natural treatments, raspberry leaf tea is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness. Fresh raspberries, which are high in Vitamin C, have been used to treat and prevent sinus infections.
There are several recent studies that look at different cancers and the benefits of using raspberries or raspberry extract for potential treatments. A study using a rat model of human esophageal cancer cells found that a diet containing black raspberries significantly reduced cancer cell growth, and another found that they inhibited oral tumor formation. A cell study using the phytochemicals ferulic acid and beta-sitosterol, commonly found in black raspberries, stopped the growth of both premalignant and malignant oral cancer cell growth. A study observing the effects of raspberry extracts on human liver cancer cells found that the more extract that was used, the less replication of cells occurred.
Anthocyanins, powerful chemicals found in raspberries, reduce blood glucose levels after starch-rich meals.
A study using mice fed high-fat diets and varying amounts of raspberries discovered that raspberries helped prevent and improve fatty liver and also reduced obesity.
Tips on Using Raspberries
References
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