Raspberries - Benefits of the Fruit

By Margot Cioccio

We have a wonderful treasure next door. Its a great big red raspberry bush. We've been picking delicious berries for weeks now. It occurred to me to day that I should look into the healing benefits.
So it seems there is the fruit, the seed and the leaves that each have healing benefits. Rather than make this a long post I will break it into three. Today we will look a the  healing benefits of the fruit.

The fruit - is delicious and high in vitamins and nutrients. They help to reduce inflammation and joint pain. Anthocyanin's are the chemical that give the berries their red color. It seems they also have quite a few health benefits as well. They have another chemical called ellagitannins that also adds to their remarkable benefits.

"Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid, a class of compounds with antioxidant effects. Found naturally in a number of foods, anthocyanins are the pigments that give berries, red onions, kidney beans, pomegranates, and grapes their rich coloring. In addition to acting as antioxidants and fighting free radicals, anthocyanins may offer anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer benefits.

In herbal medicine, anthocyanin-rich substances have long been used to treat a number of conditions (including high blood pressure, colds, and urinary tract infections). Recent research suggests that anthocyanins may also help fend off major health problems, including heart disease and cancer." According to Cathy Wong, ND

Dr. Christophers Herbal Legacy says "Raspberry contains ellagitannins. One cup per day of raspberries, 40 mg of ellagitannins, has been shown to prevent the growth of abnormal cells. In lower doses they slow the growth of the cells, but in high doses, they instruct the cancer cells to kill themselves." 

A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that the polyphenols in blueberries and strawberries lower inflammation due to oxidative stress and may help improve communication between brain cells, thus protecting against age-related cognitive decline.

Raspberries contain B-Vitamins, Vitamins C, E and A, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. So...eat your berries.

My Self Care Wellness Activity

• Enjoy a cup of raspberry tea with a cup of fresh berries.

• Think of things you are thankful for each letter in the word raspberry. I'll help you with the first letter to get you started.

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