Raspberries Health Benefits and Side Effects

Raspberries are perennial, the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus belong to the family Rosaceae, originated from Europe. Because of their commercial values and health benefits, they have been grown for processing of quick frozen (IQF) fruit, purée, juice, or as dried fruit used in a variety of grocery products.

Nutritional Supplements

1. Carbohydrates

2. Glucose

3. Fiber

4. monounsaturated fat

5. polyunsaturated fat

6. Protein

7. Vitamin A and beta-carotene

8. Vitamin B2

9. Vitamin B3

10. Folate

11. Vitamin C

12. Calcium
13. Iron

14. Sodium

15. Magnesium

16. Manganese

17. Copper

18. Potassium

19. Etc.

Health benefits

1. Anthocyanin

Anthocyanin pigments that produces the red color of the fruit, are assembled like all other flavonoids that inhibit the promotion and progression of tumor and cells by accelerating the rate of cell turnover effectively making the cancer cells die faster, according to the study of "Anticancer activities of an anthocyanin-rich extract from black rice against breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo" by Hui C, Bin Y, Xiaoping Y, Long Y, Chunye C, Mantian M, Wenhua L., posted in PebMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21058201)

2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant which inhibits the forming of the free radical due to oxidative stress. It also enhances the function of immune system in guarding our body against foreign invasion, thus reducing the risk of inflammatory and infectious diseases, according to the study of "Role of ascorbic acid in scavenging free radicals and lead toxicity from biosystems" by Tariq SA., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17914166)

3. Ellagic acid

Ellagic acid in raspberries helps to prevent unwanted damage to cell membranes caused by oxidative free radicals by directly inhibiting the DNA binding of certain carcinogens, According to the article of “BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONALITY OF ELLAGIC ACID: A REVIEW” by D.A. VATTEM and K. SHETTY , Article first published online: 30 JUN 2005, posted in Wiley Online Library, researchers indicated that in abstract, in this article, we have revised the existing models and have proposed a comprehensive model for the antioxidant response-linked mechanism of the action of ellagic acid from fruits at the early stages of host cellular response by the modulation of enzyme response to maintain cellular homeostasis in eukaryotes and by inhibiting the survival in pathogenic prokaryotes.

4. Muscular Degeneration

Muscular degeneration is a medical condition of aging, causing a loss of vision in the center of the visual field. Antioxidant such as vitamins and zinc reduce the risk of the diseases from vision loss due to aging, according to the study of "Age-related macular degeneration" by Coleman HR, Chan CC, Ferris FL 3rd, Chew EY., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19027484), researchers wrote in abstract that Treatment with antioxidant vitamins and zinc can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration by about a quarter in those at least at moderate risk.

5. Manganese

Beside as an essential for proper and normal growth of human bone structure by increasing the mineral density of spinal bone, it also prevents the damage of oxidation cause of pulmonary hypertension and respiratory distress syndrome, according to the study of "Cell-specific expression of manganese superoxide dismutase protein in the lungs of patients with respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, or persistent pulmonary hypertension" by Asikainen TM, Heikkilä P, Kaarteenaho-Wiik R, Kinnula VL, Raivio KO., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11536448)

6. Dietary fiber

Dietary fiber helps to increase the size and soften the stool, thus reducing the risk of constipation, according to the study of "A dietary fiber mixture versus lactulose in the treatment of childhood constipation: a double-blind randomized controlled trial" by Kokke FT, Scholtens PA, Alles MS, Decates TS, Fiselier TJ, Tolboom JJ, Kimpen JL, Benninga MA., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18979582). Since it is hard to digest, it makes out stomach feeling full longer, resulting in weight loss, according to the study of 'Whole-grain ready-to-eat oat cereal, as part of a dietary program for weight loss, reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults with overweight and obesity more than a dietary program including low-fiber control foods" by Maki KC, Beiseigel JM, Jonnalagadda SS, Gugger CK, Reeves MS, Farmer MV, Kaden VN, Rains TM., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20102847)

7. Etc.

Side effects

1. Oxalation

Oxalates can become too concentrated in body fluids, if eaten in large amount.
2. Etc.

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