Health Benefits of Raspberry
The health benefits of Raspberry are due in part to their high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. They are one of the best sources of ellagic acid, a natural compound shown to inhibit the growth of tumors caused by carcinogens.
Additionally, ellagic acid has also shown promise as a natural antiviral and antibacterial compound as well as potential as a natural arthritis treatment.
What Makes Them Work So Well
Raspberries contain significant amounts of polyphenol antioxidants such as anthocyanin pigments linked to potential health protection against several human diseases.
The aggregate fruit structure contributes to its nutritional value, as it increases the proportion of dietary fiber, placing it among plant foods with the highest fiber contents known, up to 20% fiber per total weight.
Raspberries are a rich source of vitamin C, E, manganese and dietary fiber. A considerable amount of B vitamins 1-3, folic acid, magnesium, copper and iron make raspberries an amazing little food.
Near The Top Of The Antioxidant Chart
Raspberries rank near the top of all fruits for antioxidant strength, particularly due to their dense contents of ellagic acid (from ellagotannins), quercetin, gallic acid, anthocyanins, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol and salicylic acid.
The contents of antioxidant vitamin C and the polyphenols mentioned above, raspberries have an ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of about 4900 per 100 grams, including them among the top-ranked ORAC fruits.
Cranberries and wild blueberries have around 9000 ORAC units and apples average 2800.
The following anti-disease properties have been isolated in experimental models. Although there are no clinical studies to date proving these effects in humans, preliminary medical research shows likely health benefits of regularly consuming Raspberries against:
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Age-related cognitive decline
- Degeneration of eyesight with aging
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