Raspberry power: Centuries-old superfruit with modern health perks

What would summer be without plump raspberries? One cannot deny their excellent taste, sweet aroma, and enticing color. However, not everyone is aware of the long history of these fruits. It turns out that the raspberry is one of the oldest plants known to humanity. It has been used for food and medicinal purposes for centuries. This alone should be a reason to consume raspberries as often as possible.

Raspberries have long been valued for their health-promoting properties. Even the ancients prepared raspberry juices that helped with infections and neurosis. In our folk tradition, raspberries were considered a remedy for anemia. Today, raspberry syrups are often used for colds, but it's worth knowing that these fruits have a much broader spectrum of benefits.

Raspberries are rich in various nutrients. They primarily contain sugars, pectins, and organic acids such as salicylic, malic, and citric acids. Additionally, raspberries are an abundant source of vitamins, including B vitamins and vitamins C and E. Moreover, these fruits contain calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium minerals.

Not only are raspberry fruits valuable for our bodies, but the leaves are also beneficial. They are rich in mineral salts, organic acids, flavonoids, resin compounds, and tannins. Crushed raspberry flowers were a natural remedy for swollen and purulent eyes. Water from boiling raspberry leaves was used to wash areas of the skin that had undergone pathological changes.

The presence of salicylic and benzoic acids makes raspberries a natural aspirin. These fruits possess anti-inflammatory, fever-reducing, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Raspberry syrup or juice has long been valued for its health-boosting and immune-strengthening properties and is often prepared as a home remedy for various ailments, such as colds or flu. Raspberries can also lower blood pressure, making them a recommended fruit for people with hypertension and other cardiovascular issues.

Raspberries can stimulate detoxification and speed up digestion, which can prevent constipation and bloating. Additionally, scientific studies suggest that consuming raspberries can help burn fat tissue, which is possible due to raspberry ketone in them.

The National Center for Nutrition Educatio indicates that the research conducted on rats suggests that this ketone may inhibit the growth of subcutaneous fat tissue. Other studies indicate a beneficial effect on lipolysis (the breakdown of triglycerides in fat tissue) and the secretion of adiponectin, which affects a range of metabolic processes, including those related to the metabolism of glucose and fatty acids.

The National Center for Nutrition Education emphasizes, however, that there is still too little research to consider raspberry ketone an effective weapon in the fight against overweight and obesity.