Scottish Raspberries

Wimbledon fans might be looking forward to their strawberries and cream - but they would be better off snacking on Scottish raspberries.

Experts say they can combat all of summer's ills reversing the damaging effects of sunburn, preventing colds and even ceasing hayfever.

And raspberries are one of the top anti-cancer foods, as they contain nutrients which can not only prevent cancer, but help to reverse it once it starts. The fruits are a godsend for dieters with only 122 calories a punnet - half the number in a small chocolate bar.

Atkins diet followers, normally barred from fruit, are allowed rasberries because of their low carbohydrate content.

But although sales of raspberries are booming, only 2,322 tons were sold in the UK last year compared with more than 30,000 tons of strawberries.

Leading health nutritionist Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition says we often underestimate the power of the raspberry. He added. If you want to look good, stay in shape and have an action-packed summer, snack on a handful of raspberries a day, eaten on their own with yoghurt, as a natural sweetener on cereal or even in a cocktail."

And he says sunbathers can keep off the wrinkles by eating a few raspberries before they go out.

The berries also help beat hayfever as they contain a natural anti-histamine, quecitin that combats allergic reactions to pollen.

Quercitin, also helps improve the appearance of the skin fighting bruises, varicose veings and capillaries. It has also been found to prevent or slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Other contituents of raspberries are effective in slowing or reversing cervical, oesophageal and mouth cancers.

And there is more vitamin C in five raspberries than there is in an orange, so they help to prevent colds and infections as well as boosting production of collagen, the glue between skin cells that creates healthy, firm skin.

A spokesman for the industry group British Summer Fruits said "We believe raspberries" are the unsung health food of the century."

"Scottish raspberries are among the best in the world and contain an absolute wealth of goodness to maintain health and prevent illness."

Scottish Daily Mail, June 28th 2004