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12 Superb Benefits of Raspberries


1. They have one of the highest antioxidant and anti aging profiles of any food. The raspberry is the 7th highest fruit on the ORAC scale. ORAC is a measure of the amount of antioxidants contained in a food. It stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity.

2. Raspberries are high in anthocyanidines. This is simply an antioxidant which is contained in the deep red/purple colour of raspberries. It is the most abundant plant antioxidant and helps prevent heart disease and cancer.

3. These berries are believed to have a positive effect on mood and concentration. Several studies have suggested this.

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4. They are bursting with Vitamin C. Only 2 cups of this berry contains your full daily requirement of Vitamin C. Vitamin C stimulates the production of carnitine which is an amino acid that boosts metabolism rate. And who couldn’t do without a little boost here!

5. Raspberries have a naturally lower sugar content. Just think about their tartness.

6. They have high iron levels. And this iron is more readily absorbed because of the generous amounts of Vitamin C.

7. Berries are an ideal low calorie sweet treat.

8. They are high in fiber which helps control high cholesterol. Fiber provides long lasting steady energy and helps reduce cravings to help with achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Their insoluble fiber content is right up there with some of the best whole grain sources.

9. They are high in antioxidant ellagic acid. This antioxidant helps liver in detoxification. It helps keep the heart young and regulates cholesterol by its actions with bile in the liver. It also helps prevent cancer.

10. Raspberries contain substances such as quercetin, catechins, and salicilic acid which help to slow aging.

11. They are abundant in flavanoids; the rich red color is proof of this. This phytonutrient along with ellagic acid prevent an overgrowth of fungi and bacteria. This includes Candida Albicans, which is the cause of yeast infections that lead to unreasonable carb and sugar cravings.

12. They provide a healthy dose of potassium while being low in sodium. This helps restore a healthy balance between these two nutrients for a healthier blood pressure.

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8 Tips for Eating Raspberries


1. Raspberries are easy to add fresh or frozen to many recipes. Take advantage of their convenience and add to desserts and smoothies.

2. Buy in season locally for the highest nutritional content. Raspberries from a u-pick farm or a farmer’s market will generally be much more nutritious than the supermarket.

3. The darker red berries contain more nutrition. Choose these over paler, less ripe ones. And avoid any berries that look wet or soggy.

CDC raspberry

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4. Use quickly. They don’t keep very well so don’t store for too long. They can keep in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days, but it is recommended to serve them between 1 and 2 days.

5. They freeze well. Make sure you pick through them for any bugs, leaves or dirt before freezing them. They are better to be stored in containers than bags. You can use them in many recipes straight from the freezer.

6. Avoid washing them because a raspberry has a very delicate structure and will fall apart easy under a little pressure.

7. They are easy to make into jam because they contain natural pectin. I have often made jam with them by just mashing and boiling them long enough with sugar and a little lemon juice for it to set. So if you are going to have jam on your toast anyway, why not make it raspberry jam?

8. They are best eaten raw because cooking destroys some of the nutrients. They have the best taste at room temperature. My favorite way to eat them is fresh off the bush in the back yard!

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Raspberry Sauce

1 -12 oz. pkg. frozen raspberries
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
3 Tbsp. water

Combine raspberries and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heart, stirring occasionally. As they cook the berries will become more liquefied. Once the raspberries are heated through, combine cornstarch and water together in a separate small bowl until it is a smooth paste and add this cornstarch mixture to the cooked raspberries. Heat and stir until it simmers and thickens. Serve on pancakes or wherever you would normally use syrup. This is a very healthy alternative to syrup; it is much lower in sugar and is rich in fibre and nutrients.

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