Raspberry

Black Raspberries

What is known to scientific fact is that damage by oxygen free radicals is a contributing factor in many of the problems associated with aging, particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer. Oxygen free radicals attack DNA, causing cell mutation that in turn prevents natural cell death. Antioxidants, such as ORAC, have an innate ability to seek and destroy oxygen free radicals. This is why foods that have high ORAC values, such as the potent black raspberry, are so essential to a healthy daily diet. 

Generally speaking, dark-colored berries are naturally high in flavonoids and phenolics (such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid, making them strong antioxidants. This is particularly true in the case of black raspberries--they contain almost twice the amount of phenolic content found in other berries.

Studying the natural chemopreventive properties of black raspberries, Dr. Gary Stoner of Ohio State University reported findings that may support a food-based approach to cancer prevention. In the study, freeze-dried black raspberries inhibited colon cancer by about 50 percent when added to the diets of rodents that has been chemically treated with carcinogens. This study is an extension of earlier research in which freeze-dried strawberries and black raspberries prevented carcinogen-induced esophageal cancer in rodents by 50-70 percent.