Raspberries are one of the most popular berries in the world and are available in various colors like black, orange, purple, red, white and golden. Among them red raspberries are most cultivated. Raspberries are delicious to eat and have a taste that range from sweet to acidic. You can have them fresh or add them to fruit salads. Blending it with plain yogurt or vanilla yogurt also makes it delicious. You may also add it to cereals. Raspberries are known for their health benefits. They are also good for the skin and hair.
Benefits of Raspberries for Skin:
Antioxidant rich food:
Raspberry is loaded with antioxidants and this makes it excellent for your skin. It can delay aging of your skin and make your skin beautiful and glowing. It contains about 10 times more antioxidants than tomatoes.
Eczema fighting properties:
Raspberry seeds are rich sources of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. These are very beneficial for treating various skin problems like eczema, psoriasis and so on.
Makes skin beautiful:
Red raspberries contain anthocyanins, which are very beneficial for keeping your skin young looking and providing your skin a beautiful complexion. Anthocyanins are responsible for the beautiful color of raspberries and they do the same with your skin also. It also helps you to fight against bacteria and fungi.
Tightens skin surface:
The leaves of red raspberries have skin tightening properties, for which it is known all over the world. They also have astringent properties and help in toning your skin.
Benefits of Raspberries for Hair:
Gives Hair shine:
Biotin is rich in raspberries and this is essential for the health of your hair and to give your hair a good shine. So, by consuming raspberries you will get long, thick and healthy hair with a natural shine.
Maintains Healthy scalp:
Vitamin C is found in good amounts in raspberries. This vitamin is essential for keeping our scalp healthy.
Promote Hair growth:
Folic acids are found in good quantities in raspberries. These are very effective for promoting hair growth.
Stops Hair loss:
Raspberries are storehouses of B vitamins. These vitamins are essential for healthy hair. They help in reducing hair fall, promoting hair growth as well as in preventing graying of hair.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Raspberries:
Can help prevent cancer:
Research made has shown that raspberries have the ability to prevent cancers of the breast, colon and prostate. This they do by preventing the tumors from multiplying and forming cancer. Phytonutrients in raspberries help in lowering oxidative stress and reducing inflammation. They also control and alter the development and production of cancer cells. They even change the signals that are sent to the existing cancer cells.
Good for diabetes:
Because of the low glycemic index in raspberries, carbohydrates are broken down very slowly. This results in slowing down the release of sugar in the blood. So, tic is very beneficial for people suffering from diabetes. It is also beneficial for lowering the risk of developing diabetes.
Have Anti-inflammatory properties:
Raspberry is effective for preventing the damage of cell membranes and other components. Thus it reduces the growth of fungi and bacteria in the body. The allergic reactions that take place due to anti histaminic action can be reduced by consuming raspberries. They are also good for providing you relief from diarrhea and fever, and help in relieving bladder and preventing urinary tract infection.
Healthy blood vessels and connectivity tissues:
Raspberry is rich in Vitamin C, which is needed for the repair of cells in the body. So, consuming raspberries helps body to produce and repair cells of the bones, skin, ligaments and blood vessels.
Improve Management of Obesity:
Raspberry contains rheosmin, which a ketone that helps in increasing the metabolism in the fat cells by increasing the activity of enzymes. As a result the chances of fat getting deposited in your cells are very low. This leads to burning of stored fats. So, it is very good for controlling obesity.
Macular regenerative properties:
Raspberries are rich in antioxidants and this help in protecting the eyes from macular degeneration. The antioxidants in this fruit are also good for preventing cancer and heart diseases.
Rich in Manganese:
Manganese is found in high quantities in raspberries. This mineral is good for providing you relief from premenstrual syndrome, arthritic pain and also helps in controlling the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body. It is also good for improving the health of your bones and to fight against the free radicals.
Raspberry leaves:
By drinking tea made with raspberry leaves you can regulate periods and get relief form cramps. It also helps in speeding up child birth. The leaves are good for sore throat and other digestive problems. Raspberry leaves are also good for toning up your reproductive system.
Weight management:
Consuming raspberries is an excellent way to maintain your weight. This fruit is rich in fiber, which help in keeping your stomach full for a longer time. As a result, you will eat less. The carbohydrates in this fruit get released very slowly. This helps in preventing sudden rise and dip in blood sugar levels. This in turn helps you to control hunger pangs.
How to Select Raspberry?
When you buy raspberries, choose only the fresh ones that are fully ripe because once they are picked, they do not get ripe. Plump and soft raspberries are best. Remember that the deeper the color of raspberries, better it is, because it means that they are fully ripe. Try to buy organically grown raspberries. You must take care not to buy overripe raspberries as its nutritive value will be less. Try not to buy packaged raspberries. If you have to buy packaged raspberries, make sure that they are not packed tightly. This can crush the fruits and damage them. You must consume them within 2 to 3 days as they perish fast.