Is there a more treasured sign of summer than a fresh-picked basket of glistening ruby-red raspberries? These beloved gems of July ooze with nutrition while bursting with flavor, making them a great way to get essential nutrients, especially under the hot summer sun. Raspberries offer much in the way of health benefits, but perhaps the star of the fruit is raspberry ketone, a major aromatic compound of red raspberry that has been shown to have multiple health benefits. (Source) Either way, it’s a great excuse pile on the raspberries in the dog days of summer.
Raspberries for Obesity and Weight Management
Much research shows that raspberry ketone has been shown to aid in weight loss. One study analyzed the obesity-prevention effects of raspberry ketone on mice. In the study, mice were fed a high-fat diet and raspberry ketone. The ketone was shown to reduce weight gain from the diets, reduce triglyceride levels, increase lypolisis, and reduce liver weight. (Source)
Raspberries for Bone Loss
The work of raspberry ketone doesn’t stop with obesity prevention — it has also been shown to aid with bone loss associated with osteoporosis. In osteoporosis, bone marrow cells are converted to adipose tissue instead of osteoblasts. One study examined the effects of raspberry ketone on osteoblast differentiation in stem cells, and it was shown that the ketone promoted the differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts, thus promoting bone formation. (Source)
Raspberries for Liver Health
Raspberry ketone has also been shown to promote liver health, as was demonstrated in one study that analyzed the effects of raspberry extract on fatty liver disease. In the study, raspberry ketone was administered to rats who were also fed high-fat diets. The raspberry ketone was shown to have a protective, anti-inflammatory and fat-reducing effect on the liver. Overall, results show the potential of raspberry ketone as an effective treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. (Source)
Raspberries for Cancer Treatment/Prevention
Raspberry leaves offer their own set of health benefits, including cancer-preventative effects. One study analyzed the effects of raspberry leaf polyphenols and antioxidative properties on human laryngeal and colon cancer cell lines. The raspberry leaf extract was shown to have antioxidative and cytotoxic effects, and to increase of total glutathione concentration in the cancer cells. These results showed the potential role of raspberry leaf in treating and preventing cancer. (Source)
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Raspberries, 1 cup (123g)
Calories: 64
Total Fat: 1g
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 155mg
Total Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 306mg
Total Carbohydrates: 15g
Dietary Fiber: 8g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 1% Daily Value
Vitamin C: 54%
Vitamin E: 5%
Vitamin K: 12%
Thiamin: 3%
Riboflavin: 3%
Niacin 4%
Vitamin B6: 3%
Folate: 6%
Calcium: 3%
Iron: 5%
Magnesium: 7%
Phosphorous: 4%
Potassium: 5%
Manganese: 41%