Rich in vitamin c, helps to lower cholesterol, prevents cancer and chronic diseases, controlling diabetes, good for the heart, helps to treat inflammations, aiding in digestion, regulation of blood pressure, good skin health, improves kidney health and enhance blood circulation are some of the health benefits of rose hips.

What are rose hips?

Rose hips are an accessory fruit of the rose plant, it is also referred by various other names that include – rose heps, dog rose fruits, hipberries, hip fruit, brier hip, and hop fruit. The rose hips are of two varieties – rosa gallica and rosa canina. These are native to Asia, Europe and North Africa. This fruit is usually red or orange in color but it varies as in some species the color ranges from dark purple to even black.

11 Must Know Health Benefits of Rose Hips

Rose hip, the name may not sound so appealing but it has several amazing health benefits to it that you would start using it on a regular basis.

Rose hips are rich in vitamin C

This fruit is believed to contain 60 times the amount of vitamin c found in an orange! Vitamin C is very much essential for collagen production that forms the connective tissue in the body. It also helps in treating inflammation and improving immunity. Vitamin c helps to maintain healthy blood vessels. The use of rose hip tea for treating respiratory ailments has been in use for a long time.

Moreover, vitamin c helps in iron absorption. Iron is one such mineral of utmost importance in the body with its use ranging from preventing anemia to keeping the blood healthy.

Helps to lower cholesterol

The regular use of rose hip extract in your diet has been linked to lower the blood cholesterol levels quite effectively. This further helps to reduce the risk of heart disease too.

 if you are obese, then this fruit extract is an excellent ingredient to be used for making a drink made of rose hip powder. Consume this drink daily for six weeks to notice a significant drop in blood cholesterol.

Rose hip can also be used as a safe alternative to anti-cholesterol drugs – statins that might have side effects.

Prevents cancer and chronic diseases

Rose hips contain bioactive compounds such as phenols, beta-carotene, vitamin c, tannins and pectins. These help to curb the oxidative stress and reduce the incidence of cancers.

According to one study, it was found that rose hip extract had reduced the growth of breast cancer cells and also prevented the cancerous growth in the brain tissues that would be caused due to breast cancer.

A serbian study focuses on the benefit of the polyphenols present in the fruit that prevents the proliferation of human cancerous cells.

Can be effective in controlling diabetes

Certain studies conducted on animals which involved the regular intake of 40 grams of rose hip powder proved to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels and also showed better glucose tolerance.

Good for the heart

According to a study conducted by the Sweden’s department of experimental medical science, it was seen that intake of rose hip powder significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the flavonoids and antioxidants in rose hip fruit is an effective agent in protecting the heart.

Helps to treat inflammations

Rose hip has certain anti – inflammatory properties due to its seed and not its shell. It is preferred in treating osteosrthritis and also is effective in preventing cartilage erosion.

According to a study in Denmark, regular intake of rose hip helps to reduce c – reactive protein levels and thus reducing inflammation.

Aiding in digestion

According to university of Michigan, it was reported that the skin of the rose hip fruit is helpful in preventing stomach ache and also in treatment of various other digestive related problems.

Regulation of blood pressure

According to united states department of agriculture, it was reported that intake of rose hip fruit was effective in significant drop in levels of blood pressure. Thus, making rose hip fruit an effective ingredient for treating hypertension.

Good skin health

Rose hip fruit contains high amounts of vitamin c which stimulates collagen production, reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin a in it also helps to improve the moisture content of the skin. The antioxidants in rose hip improves the skin texture and tone and also in treating pigmentation. The essential fatty acids prevent scarring and promote skin regeneration.

You can use the rose hip oil to avail all these benefits. Many famous celebrities are reported to be using this oil to keep their skin blemish – free and for correcting dark spots.

Improves kidney health

Kidney stones are quite common these days affecting various age groups. According to a report by the united states national library of medicine, it is found that rose hip can treat several kidney disorders.

Consumption of rose hip tea

It (after brewing) can enhance blood circulation.

SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ROSE HIPS

Just like over usage of anything is unhealthy, similarly over consumption of rose hip is unhealthy. Most of the side effects associated with rose hip fruit are due to over dosage of vitamin C. This overdose of vitamin c is not lethal but it does cause headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and heartburn. Large amounts of vitamin c can cause occurrence of kidney stones. There is no reliable information found on consumption of this fruit during pregnancy or breastfeeding. So it is better to avoid it.

Rose hip fruit has certain drug interactions such as vitamin C with estrogens, then the fruit with warfarin slows down blood clotting.

Nutritional facts of Rose Hips ( 1 value per 100.0 g)

(Source: nutritionvalue.org)

Conclusion

Rose hip is a native of Asia, Europe and North Africa. It is an accessory fruit of the rose plant. Rose hip fruit is rich in vitamin c, anti oxidants, flavonoids.

This fruit has been associated to some surprising health benefits such as promoting good skin health, lowering blood pressure, controlling diabetes, lowering cholesterol, preventing cancer and other chronic disease, is anti – inflammatory, promoting good blood circulation, aiding in digestion, good for heart, helping in promoting kidney health, etc.

Excess consumption of this fruit causes vitamin c over dosage and this causes certain side effects in the body – nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, stomach cramps, etc.

References

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-health-benefits-of-rosehips/#gref