Red raspberry is a perennial plant that grows wild in Europe and Asia. The plant is also widely cultivated for its red berries, which are eaten fresh, baked in desserts or preserved in syrup, jam and jelly. The fruit and leaf of red raspberry have been used for centuries to treat gingivitis, anemia, heart disease, respiratory disorders, muscle cramps and diarrhea. Red raspberry is best known in folk medicine as a uterine tonic to facilitate child birth. There is evidence that red raspberry may provide antioxidant benefits and deter certain types of cancer. However, do not take red raspberry products during pregnancy without close medical supervision. This herb may also affect blood pressure, so check with your doctor if you have a history of hypertension.

Nutrition information of Red Raspberry Extract
Raspberries are an important commercial fruit crop, widely grown in all temperate regions of the world. It contains polypeptides, flavonoids, and tannins (Ellagic Acid). They're packed with vitamin C and are a very good source of fiber and manganese. Raspberries are also a good source of vitamin K and magnesium, and contain vitamin A, potassium, phosphate, folate, iron and niacin as well.
Not only that, the Raspberry boasts a high ORAC level, containing many antioxidants, including anthocyanins and phenolic compounds.

Raspberry fruits also contain ellagic tannins, which may support the functions of the liver and colon. In addition, the high amounts of the soluble fiber pectin in Raspberries may promote cardiovascular health. Raspberry seeds also containomega-3 essential fatty acids, which may help maintain normal cholesterol levels.

Health Benefits of Red Raspberry Extract

1) Composition
According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," red raspberry contains vitamin C, tannins and flavonoids. The tannins are chiefly responsible for the plant's astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Other compounds present include an anti-spasmodic and a smooth muscle stimulant, which explains why red raspberry leaf has a reputation in folk medicine as both a uterine relaxant and a stimulator of uterine contractions. The herb also contains a chemical that blocks the enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, an event associated with Alzheimer's disease.
2) Astringent Effects
The tannin content of red raspberry leaf counters local inflammation, while the astringent quality of these compounds reduce irritation of the mucosal membrane of the intestinal tract. This activity, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, makes red raspberry useful in addressing symptoms of diarrhea.
3) Antioxidant Benefits
The antioxidant compounds in red raspberry also provide an anti-proliferative effect, which means they stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. In the Nov. 30, 2010, issue of "Nutrition Research," scientists from Clemson University in South Carolina report that raspberry extracts demonstrate anti-cancer activity against stomach, colon and breast cancer cells in cultured test samples. Another study in the Nov. 25, 2010, issue of "Nutrition and Metabolism," shows that red raspberry extract suppresses the growth of chemically induced liver lesions.
A new study suggests red raspberries are not just another great tasting fruit.
Red raspberry has been studied for other medicinal purposes. In a recent study from Clemson University, researchers examined the effect of red raspberries on killing cancer cells. They found that the antioxidants had a more significant role in killing breast cancer cells than gastrointestinal cell types.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island report that red raspberry extract reduced inflammation, cartilage damage, and bone resorption and thus may prove helpful in modulating the development and severity of arthritis.