Raspberries are one of the best sources of antioxidants

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

New research suggests that raspberries have about ten times more antioxidant power than tomatoes or broccoli.
Many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which can help you avoid the damage that oxygen does to cells that would otherwise lead to various chronic diseases. A team from Plant Research International, Wageningen, The Netherlands, now reveals that raspberries are a particularly good antioxidant source.

They have carried out analysis that shows raspberries can contain about ten times more antioxidant power than tomatoes or broccoli. They contain vitamin C and anthocyanines - but these are found in other fruits and vegetables. What is special about raspberries is their ellagitannin content - these antioxidants are found only in strawberries, in small amounts, and maybe some Chinese herbs.

Of course, raspberries do tend to spoil rapidly. Freezing destroys the vitamin C, but not the rest of the antioxidant capacity. And making the fruit into jam alters some of the antioxidants, but many of the valuable compounds remain. Some varieties are higher in antioxidants than others and plant breeding could even produce 'extra healthy' raspberries. It seems that a bowl of berries could be a very healthy addition to your diet!

Source
BioFactors Volume 23 Issue 4 2005 (special issue on bioactive behavior of berry fruits)