Black Raspberries Help in Children’s Growth & Nutrition
An individual’s height is not only determined by genes alone, but by the food he or she eats. Nutrients are essential for body growth, and having good nutrition for children is a must for healthy growth and living. In order for children to thrive, they must eat a well-balanced diet, one that comprises all the food groups represented in the food pyramid – protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
However, modern foods lack several important nutrients needed for growing children to thrive. One of the most important nutrients that are commonly absent in modern foods is phytonutrients. One excellent source of phytonutrients and other minerals is black raspberry . With 1.4mg of iron content per serving, black raspberries easily match the iron content of chicken breast meat, which contains 1.3mg of iron content per serving. It is no wonder why Korean Oriental Medical practitioners use black raspberries to treat growth failure and dwarfism, a genetic condition that inhibits growth, in children.
In Korea, black raspberries are considered the source of good nutrition for children. They have been used to promote physical growth in children, with studies suggesting that black raspberries help stimulate the pituitary gland by. According to Korean Oriental Medical doctors, “black raspberries help in stabilizing the five viscera and six entrails that help to balance the body.” Black raspberries also help to prevent, and in some cases, heal dwarfism by improving articular alignment and muscle tone.
In a recent Korean laboratory study, the test subjects were measured for the growth rates of their bones. Doctors separated test subjects into six groups. The control group was given pure saline solution, the first and second test groups were given black raspberry extract (varying concentrations extracted by ethanol), while the the third test group was fed black raspberry with a fraction of ethylacetate of black raspberry extract. The fourth and fifth test groups were given black raspberry (varying concentrations extracted by saline solution). While the control group of test subjects grew at the normal rate, the five test groups grew at a higher rate. The third test group that had been given the black raspberry with a fraction of ethylacetate grew the fastest, clocking their growth at 110.9% of the normal rate. This study showed that black raspberry possesses properties that benefit children’s growth.
Generally, doctors prescribe growth hormone injections to treat growth failure in children, but this treatment carries a risk of stroke. According to a French study, children who receive growth hormone injections are at an increased risk of having a hemorrhagic stroke in adulthood. If that is enough to deter you from seeking growth hormone injections for your child, take black raspberries instead. Black raspberries come in as the definitive alternative in boosting physical growth. There is also no adverse effect from consuming this health food.
Black raspberries also contain anthocyanins, powerful compounds that not only give the fruit their dark blue color but also help improve vision. For growing children, having good vision is important in preventing vision problems later in life. If your family has a history of eye diseases and or disorders, taking extra care of your eyes from young can delay the onset of vision problems. Eating black raspberries can help delay and or prevent the onset of vision problems that may require expensive medical interventions.
From healthy growth to vision care, black raspberries are good nutrition for children. They come in many forms – juices, vinegar and dried extracts – and are au naturel, making them safe for anyone to consume to promote their overall health.
