Raspberries should be on everyone’s grocery list, due to the numerous health benefits they offer. They have the ability to help you lose weight, fight diseases, keep you looking young, and help you stay mobile.
Two recent studies have shown that raspberries can be highly beneficial for your health. In the first study, conducted by researchers at Oregon State University, rats were found to still lose weight even while eating a high-sugar, high-calorie diet, as long as their diet also included some form of raspberry such as raspberry juice concentrate, raspberry puree concentrate, raspberry fruit powder, raspberry seed extract or raspberry ketone.
The second study, conducted by researchers at Tufts University, found that rats not only experienced an improvement in motor skills like coordination and balance but also had better muscle tone, strength, and stamina after eating freeze-dried red raspberry extract for 10 weeks.
These benefits are important for maintaining overall health and well-being, especially as we grow older. However, these are just a small portion of the benefits that raspberries offer. Other health benefits include:
Reduce wrinkles
Raspberries are rich in antioxidants, which can help slow down the aging process and reduce wrinkles. Antioxidants fight free radicals that can damage the skin cells and lead to aging.
Improve vision and prevent age-related eye diseases
Raspberries are a good source of vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining eye health. Furthermore, the antioxidants found in raspberries can help protect against age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration.
Boost the immune system and help fight infections
The vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in raspberries can help strengthen the immune system and aid in fighting off infections.
Balance hormones (especially for women)
Raspberries contain natural plant compounds that can help balance hormone levels, particularly in women.
Fight cancer
Raspberries are a potent cancer-fighter. Studies conducted by researchers at the Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, found that red raspberries can kill cancer cells, while black raspberries can stop the growth of oral, esophageal, colon, breast, and skin cancer.
Raspberries owe their powerful cancer-fighting effects to their high concentration of antioxidants, including ellagic acid, an anti-cancer compound that fights colon, esophageal, liver, lung, tongue, and skin cancer, and quercetin, a flavanol that fights skin, colon, and breast cancer.
In addition to antioxidants, raspberries are full of essential minerals and nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron, and fiber.
With so many health benefits, it’s no wonder that raspberry supplements are widely available in various forms, from raspberry ketones marketed as weight loss supplements to red raspberry oil as a natural sunscreen and anti-aging solution for the skin. Red raspberry leaf supplements are also used to aid digestion and promote hormonal balance in women.
However, despite the availability of supplements, the best way to enjoy the health benefits of raspberries is to eat them whole and fresh, as studies have shown that consuming real raspberries is a more effective healthy remedy than taking individual raspberry compounds in a supplement form.
In conclusion, adding raspberries to your diet can provide you with a host of health benefits, from helping with weight loss to fighting cancer and maintaining a youthful appearance. Enjoy them whole and fresh to get the most health benefits and improve your overall well-being.
