Antioxidant Capacity and Anticancer Properties of Red Raspberry

13 This study suggests that the phytochemicals in raspberries have significant antioxidant and anticancer activity. Darker raspberries show greater antioxidant activity than lighter ones but not significantly greater anticancer activity. Clearly other as yet unknown compounds are also involved. A bundant evidence suggests that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risks of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. In the process of converting food into energy, the body naturally produces oxygen radicals, which can damage DNA and enzymes and oxidize cell membrane lipids. Accumulated damage from these radicals is thought to lead to cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. Natural antioxidants in foods help counteract these oxygen radicals and protect us from their damaging effects. Fruits and vegetables are especially rich in a variety of antioxidants called phytochemicals such as flavonoids, which give many fruits their characteristic colors. Intake of sufficient amounts of antioxidants helps the body balance the demands of producing the energy it needs and producing damaging oxygen radicals. Research on raspberries revealed high levels of phytochemicals, antioxidant activity, and anticancer activity. Raspberries are high in phenolic phytochemicals, particularly flavonoids such as anthocyanin pigments, which give raspberries their deep red color. These