Raspberries dubbed a right royal fruit

Raspberries grown on the Balmoral estate may hold the secret to the Queens youthful looks and good health according to a leading health nutritionist.

Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition believes the fruit, which is cultivated for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for their month long stay in Scotland is good at curbing wrinkles.

He says raspberries are the healthiest fruit because five of them contain more vitamin C than an orange. A high dietary intake of vitamin C halves the risk of cancer and precents colds and infections as well as ptomoting healthy firm skin - collagen, the glue between skin cells is made of Vitamin C

Raspberries are also among the best anti cancer goods, as they are exceptionally high in four known anti cancer nutrients; anthocyanins, ellagic acis, isothlocyanates and quercetin.

But it is the anti aging qualities of raspberries that are particularly noticeable.

Mr Holford said: "The big buzzword in health and nutrition is antioxidants Whe we breat in car exhaust, cigarette smoke or polluted air, eat burnt or fried foods and tan out skin we expose ourselves to oxidants. This ages us faster and increases the risk of many diseases includin cancer. The only reversal to this exposure is to antioxidants.

"Raspberries are among the best all round foods for anti ageing, antioxidants. Berries have a high antioxidant content than any other fruit. Eating raspberries can further improve the appearance of the skin, as quercetin improves the health of capillaries and connective tissues, which can help alleviate bruising, oedema, varicose veins and fragile capillaries."

Raspberries are also one of the few fruits recommended to followes of the Atkins diet, because they are exceptionally low in calories - only 122 per punnet.

The new is a boost for Scottish growers, whose raspberries are famed for their taste.

According to Debrett's Royal Scotland "late raspberries are especially cultivated" to tie in with the Royal visit to Balmoral.

Mr Holdford, who has sold over one million health books, said sun worshippers should eat raspberries before facing the rays,.

Tanning the skin exposes us to harmful antioxidants which age the skin, cause wrinkles and increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer. The only reversal of this is exposure to anti oxidants."

A spokeswoman for British Summer Fruits said raspberries were the "unsung health food of the century".

"They have been overlookged to some extent, but now sales are taking off on the back of the health benefits. Scottish raspberries are among the best in the world and contain an absolute wealth of goodness to maintain health and prevent illness. They are great for the skn - no wonder teh Queen looks so good" she said.

August 23rd 2004