Raspberries and human health: a review

J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Apr 14;58(7):3871-83. doi: 10.1021/jf903484g.

Abstract

Dietary guidelines around the world recommend the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables as good sources of antioxidant phytochemicals for the prevention of chronic diseases. Red raspberries are a common and important fruit in the Western diet due to their content of essential nutrients and beneficial phytochemicals. Anthocyanins and ellagitannins are polyphenolic compounds and the major antioxidant phytochemicals present in raspberries. Whereas individual phytochemical constituents of raspberries have been studied for their biological activities, human intervention studies using whole berries are lacking in the literature. The nutritional and phytochemical compositions of red raspberries and their absorption, metabolism, and biological activity are reviewed. Finally, future directions of research are also identified.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control
  • Food, Organic / analysis
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Health*
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / analysis*
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Rosaceae / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts