Raspberry bushes strewn with bright berries grow on every summer cottage. They are valued for their unique composition and excellent taste, familiar from childhood. The benefits of raspberries are undeniable; they are grown to enjoy, store valuable fruits for the winter, make a healing decoction for a child, treat them with a spoonful of jam to lift their spirits and prevent the flu.
Chemical and vitamin composition
Raspberries contain significant amounts of antioxidants, fiber and are a rich source of vitamin C, manganese, potassium, calcium, B vitamins, folic acid, magnesium, copper and iron. In addition, the berries are very low in calories - the energy value of 100 grams of fresh raspberries is only 52 kcal.
Did you know? Every year, for 27 years, a raspberry festival is held near the St. Gertrude Monastery in Cottonwood, Idaho (USA), during which visitors get acquainted with new varieties of this crop, try dishes and baked goods with berries. This event is held on the first Sunday in August.
The fruits of this plant are rich in flavonoids from the anthocyanin group (cyanidin or pelargonidin), which give the berries their red, purple and black colors. Of the phenolic acids, raspberries are rich in ellagic acid (this is the richest source of the chemical compound) and salicylic acid. Among the carotenoid substances, berries contain beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein. The last two substances give color to yellow-fruited varieties that do not contain anthocyanins.
The fruits contain 6–8% simple sugars, mainly fructose, and 2% fiber, are rich in water, but low in protein and fat. In addition to the fruits, the leaves of the plant are actively used for medicinal purposes. They contain polyphenolic compounds called tannins, due to which medicinal raw materials have astringent and antiseptic properties.
Do raspberries raise or lower temperatures?
The ability to lower body temperature and fight inflammatory processes is due to the high content of vitamin C and salicylic acid in raspberry fruits and especially leaves. Activation of sweating is associated specifically with salicylic acid, therefore, the more raspberries we consume, the better we sweat and will be able to lower body temperature, as well as get rid of harmful waste and toxins that will come out along with sweat. In addition, raspberries contain folic acid, which is so useful for pregnant women and the question is “can raspberries be consumed by pregnant women?” We have dedicated a separate article to a large number of minerals, macro and microelements. Raspberries represent a whole complex of useful substances, which together make it possible to quickly overcome the disease and strengthen the immune system.
The berries can be consumed fresh, and can also be prepared into teas, decoctions, infusions, fruit drinks, and jam. Even with heat treatment, most of the beneficial substances are retained.
Raspberry is one of the main natural antibiotics
It is important to remember that drinks should be consumed warm, not hot. Too hot tea will, on the contrary, contribute to an increase in temperature, hence the numerous debates about whether raspberries will increase or decrease the temperature. It's not even about the raspberries here. If you give a child plenty of hot decoction of currant leaves to drink, the temperature will rise again and again the problem will not be the currants, but the fact that the drink has a high temperature. Therefore, if we consider raspberries, then their berries and leaves are an effective antipyretic agent; if we consider the drink prepared from it, then everything depends on its temperature.
Useful and harmful properties
When deciding which solid foods to introduce into baby's complementary foods, parents should choose those that are rich in vitamins and nutrients to help baby grow and develop. Healthy raspberries are an ideal product. Despite the fact that berries are a tasty and healthy food, parents are not recommended to give their baby the fruits of this plant until they are one year old.
Important! When choosing raspberries, it is recommended to give preference to berries that are round, dense and fully colored (red, yellow or black), which is characteristic of this variety. Unripe raspberries never ripen when picked from the bushes.
Since raspberries and strawberries are considered to be among the foods that most often cause allergic reactions, parents are advised to wait until the child is at least twelve months old before introducing the fruits into the child's diet. The most common allergic reaction to raspberries is itching or rash on the skin.
Sometimes allergic reactions can be more severe and lead to swelling of the larynx. Some children may experience intense diaper rash - this is a reaction to increased acidity in fruits. Even high-quality berries do not last long, only a few days in the refrigerator, and those that have mechanical damage or signs of mold spoil within 24 hours.
Jam recipes for children
Apricot or peach
- Fruits – 0.5 kg;
- Sugar – 170 grams.
This is an easy and quick recipe that can be prepared without cooking. Peach or apricot jam turns out bright, rich, deliciously aromatic. To prepare, rinse the fruits and leave to dry. Carefully remove the seeds and, if necessary, cut the fruit into halves.
Crush the fruits. To make this quick and easy, choose very soft and ripe fruits. Add half the sugar to the mixture and refrigerate for an hour. After this, add the rest of the sugar, stir and put it in the refrigerator again for an hour.
Stir the cooled mixture until it resembles jam. If necessary, place in the refrigerator again and stir again. Place the finished jam into jars.
Pomegranate
- Pomegranate – 5 pieces;
- Sugar – 1.5 cups per glass of juice.
We clean the pomegranates and squeeze the juice out of some of the grains. Mix the resulting liquid with sugar and simmer for half an hour. As a result, we get a thick hot syrup, which we pour over the remaining grains and leave for one to two hours. Then cook the mixture for another twenty minutes. This jam can fill the body with vitamins and minerals in the winter.
From cherries or sweet cherries
- Berries – 1 kg;
- Sugar – 0.5 kg.
Wash the fruits, remove the stem and seeds, and set the latter aside. Place the berries in a container and cover with sugar. Leave for a while so that they release the juice. When you have two cups of juice, add the seeds and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. After this, cool the broth, strain and pour back into the cherries.
Stir the mixture, put on the fire and bring to a boil. After five minutes, remove from heat and leave for five to six hours. Then boil the mixture again, leave it for several times again and boil a third time. Pour the finished jam into sterilized jars and roll up the lids. Turn the jars over and cover with a blanket until cool.
Plum
- Plums – 300 gr;
- Sugar – 150 gr.
Another quick recipe without cooking. Wash the plums, dry them, cut them into halves and remove the pits. Take sterilized dry jars and place the berries cut side down, sprinkling each row with sugar. Close the jars with lids and pasteurize. The result is a plum in its own juice, which will preserve the vitamins and beneficial properties of the fresh product as much as possible.
Is it possible to give raspberries to children, and at what age should this be done?
If parents plan to give their baby raspberries, they need to make sure that the child is ready to “handle” it. The baby gives parents clear signals that he or she is ready to eat solid food. Some of these signs are: holding the head firmly, sitting upright (with support), conscious chewing movements, significant weight gain, increased appetite and curiosity about what the parents eat.
Before serving, the fruit must be rubbed through a sieve or cut into very small pieces. If berries are served to your child as food using your fingers, you need to make sure that the fruits are cut into pea-sized pieces. The raspberries continue to be chopped into fragments of this size until the baby celebrates his third birthday.
Important! You should not wash the berries in advance, long before using them. This contributes to their rapid deterioration.
Any fruit grown on an industrial scale contains a large amount of pesticides, so you need to buy only organic gardening products for your child. If you purchase a large number of berries that will not be used immediately, mom can freeze them for later use.
Synonym for sweet life
“Raspberry ringing”, the funny singing robin and many other names and phrases indicate the popularity and people’s love for this fragrant berry. The first plantings of garden raspberries were organized by order of Yuri Dolgoruky back in the 12th century. Since then, the properties of the plant have been well studied, and applications have been found for all its parts. Cooking, medicine, cosmetology - these are the most common areas of application of berries, leaves, and young shoots of shrubs. The forest raspberry harvest is honestly shared between people and animals, while the garden raspberry harvest almost completely belongs to the children. They bravely climb into the thick of thorny branches for their favorite delicacy.
Admission rules
Raspberries can be eaten fresh or drunk as freshly squeezed juice. This is a “seasonal” plant, the fruits of which ripen from July to August. In the summer, you can pick berries and then freeze the excess for the fall and winter. Raspberries have a mild taste and delicate texture, but they appear in a child’s diet only at the 12th month of life.
First, parents grind the fruits into puree or serve them to the baby in the form of juice. The main thing is that the drupes are separated from the berry pulp. Raspberry puree contains mineral salts and a lot of vitamin C, and also has anti-inflammatory properties. But delicate fruits are quickly affected by mold, so you need to carefully inspect the berries. Raspberry fruits should be thoroughly washed before they are eaten by the baby.
Did you know? For several hundred years, raspberry berries, leaves and twigs have been one of the proven folk medicine in European countries. Medicinal tea from the plant has been used since ancient times to reduce fever and relieve fever.
For the full development of a growing organism, it is very important to regularly consume berries and fruits, fresh vegetables, which should be eaten at least 5 times a day, in small portions. The main thing is to provide the child’s body with a constant supply of microelements and vitamins. But if a child refuses raspberries, then there are many ways to “season” various dishes with berries. They go well with semolina and rice porridge, milk and its fermented milk varieties (yogurt, cottage cheese).
You can add berries to dairy desserts, pancakes, and salads. The fruits can be served as a snack for the baby. You can make berry puree with cream cheese, which can be used as a “spread” on sandwiches or crackers. Raspberry puree can be added to jelly or oatmeal, combined with other fruits and pureed in a blender, and then frozen in small ramekins.
Find out the benefits and harms of raspberry jam for the body.
All new products should be introduced into the children's diet gradually, with an interval of several days between doses. If you plan to give your baby raspberries in combination with other foods, you need to make sure that they are combined with those foods that are already familiar to the child. After the initial administration, you should carefully monitor for signs of food allergy. It is recommended to wait at least three days before introducing another “new” food to your child’s menu.
Contraindications for use
It is important to remember that you can first start giving raspberries to your baby at the age of about twelve months, one berry at a time. If a child has any signs of an allergy, parents should first consult with their pediatrician before introducing berries into their regular diet. Typical signs of an allergic reaction may include swelling, cramps, rash, diarrhea, or vomiting.
If your baby has trouble breathing, has seizures, or loses consciousness, call an ambulance immediately. Raspberries are a very healthy product as they contain vitamins, minerals and organic compounds. But given that raspberries are among the foods that often cause allergies in infants, the product should be introduced into the baby’s diet very carefully.
Features of the use of raspberries depending on body temperature
Tea with raspberries will have a positive effect on the body at any elevated temperature, however, in medical practice it is customary to distinguish between temperature conditions when the body fights the disease on its own and when it is no longer possible to do without medication.
Is it possible to have raspberries at a temperature of 37-38 degrees?
Doctors do not advise lowering the temperature below 38.5 degrees. An increase in temperature in this case signals the production of leukocytes, which actively fight pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms. Temperature can be called a stimulating factor for recovery. At temperatures of 37, 37.5, 38, raspberry tea is perfect, it will help fight the disease and supply the body with the necessary vitamin C.
Is it possible to eat raspberries at a temperature of 39 and above?
If your body temperature rises above 39 degrees, raspberry drink alone cannot cope; in this case, you need to take medications, and be sure to consult a doctor, especially if this condition lasts for several days.
It is important to remember that doctors do not recommend combining aspirin with drinking raspberry tea. Also, drinking raspberry drinks is undesirable for those who have a weak heart and kidney problems.
People suffering from diabetes should not consume raspberry jam in large quantities. Raspberry tea is also used with caution for gastrointestinal diseases, especially peptic ulcers and gastritis, as well as for pregnant women.
