Ah rasps, we love you berry much! So far, we’ve chatted about the benefits of strawberries and blueberries and we’d like to continue that conversation by sharing yet another sweet skincare superfood: raspberries. These tart gems are not only rich in color but benefits, too! From soothing dryness to strengthening immunity, raspberries pack quite the punch and can do a whole lot for your skin and overall health. Keep reading to learn more!
Benefits of Raspberries for Skin
No one likes dry skin, especially those who suffer from chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, but luckily, consuming raspberries can help! Raspberries contain omega-3 fatty acids and are high in manganese, both of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin. The former works to improve hydration, soften rough, cracked skin, and soothe irritation while the latter helps produce an essential amino acid known as proline, which not only stimulates collagen production but also aids in wound healing. Talk about killing two birds with one stone! And if you’d like to reap the beauty benefits of this berry by doing more than just consuming it, you can check out these DIY facial masks here to apply it topically.
Ready to shine as bright as the sun?
Just like strawberries and blueberries, raspberries can help brighten skin, leaving you with the perfect glow. Raspberries are high in anthocyanins (a type of flavonoid found in many plant foods), which can support collagen synthesis, both reducing collagen breakdown and increasing overall collagen production. And in case you didn’t already know (or have forgotten), one of the most notable features of collagen is its ability to strengthen elasticity, giving skin that plump, firm, and youthful appearance. Simply put, regularly consuming raspberries can help give your skin a brightening boost!
Struggling with inflammation? Raspberries, specifically those that’re black, can help reduce the appearance of redness and swelling due to common skin allergies. A study involving mice demonstrated that when they consumed black raspberries after coming in contact with irritants, the appearance of swelling significantly reduced versus the mice that didn’t consume these berries. Researchers found that black raspberries can regulate dendritic cells (AKA cells that initiate immune responses), which essentially signal to the immune system to create inflammation or not. Simply put, consuming these raspberries tells the body that it doesn’t need to respond to allergens with itchiness, swelling, and any other undesirable effects. Neat, huh?!
As much as we don’t want to accept it, the body’s ability to deter free radicals naturally declines as we age, so an increase in free radical levels is more likely.
But raspberries, which are rich in antioxidants, can help fight these cell-damaging free radicals! The reason signs of aging start to show is because the level of free radicals in your body is higher than your antioxidant levels. But by consuming more raspberries, you’re increasing your body’s total antioxidant intake, which in turn can lead to improved skin quality and elasticity. Raspberries are also high in vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant that works to reduce the signs of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and discoloration.
Benefits of Raspberries for Overall Health
Raspberries contain phytonutrients, (AKA chemicals produced by plants that help prevent disease and essentially keep us non-plant folk healthy), which help to reinforce the network of cells and proteins that work to defend our body against infections. The high content of vitamin C and B in raspberries also helps strengthen immunity by signaling to your body to produce more immune-boosting antibodies to fight against illnesses. Oh, and that’s not all! These red gems also contain beta-carotene, which may enhance immune cell function. And fun fact: the reason raspberries are vibrantly red is because they’re rich in these phytonutrients and antioxidants!
Dealing with diabetes? You’re going to want to listen up!
Like blueberries, raspberries contain natural sugar (and a moderate amount of it), making them a sweet yet safe snack for diabetics. Research has shown that the anthocyanins in these berries have had positive effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. And if raspberries are consumed after a high-carb meal, they can help block a certain digestive enzyme (alpha-amylase), that often leads to spikes in sugar levels. Raspberries are also high in tannins and fiber, both of which help to regulate blood sugar.
Everyone’s mother, uncle, neighbor, and best friend knows how crucial fiber is for a happy, healthy gut and luckily, raspberries contain a heap load of this carbohydrate (8 grams per cup to be exact). And fun fact: the leaves of the raspberry are both medicinal and edible and have been used to aid proper digestion for centuries by infusing them in boiling water and creating tea! But do keep in mind that an excessive amount of fiber can have adverse effects on your digestive tract, especially if you aren’t consuming enough liquid. Simply put, don’t overdo it when it comes to this sweet superfood and others that’re high in fiber.
This health benefit of raspberries is sure to blow your mind!
Regularly consuming raspberries can help protect the brain from any damage thanks to their high content of antioxidants (which help to promote a healthy blood flow) that work to deter free radicals. Raspberries also contain phytonutrients, which have been shown to maintain proper memory and cognitive function, which is crucial for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. And not only do raspberries protect the body from oxidative stress, but they also increase the number of neurons in the brain, helping to slow the mind’s natural aging process!
And that’s a wrap on this popular and powerful fruit! We hope you enjoyed learning the benefits of raspberries for skin and overall health and are looking forward to incorporating these berries into your diet (if you don’t already do). Follow us on socials and let us know which berry and their benefits you’ve loved reading about thus far! If you can’t decide, just know that you can’t go wrong with any of these sweet skincare superfoods. Talk soon, pals!