Raspberry jam: health benefits and harms

Raspberry jam is a traditional and everyone's favorite dessert, prepared annually for the winter. Even children know that warm tea with the addition of this product successfully helps to treat a cold sore throat. But in fact, the benefits of raspberry jam are more significant. This berry is a real "treasury" of vitamins and medicinal substances, in addition, it retains most of its positive properties even after a short boil.

It must be remembered that this sweetness cannot be feasted on thoughtlessly, you should use it with caution, not forgetting about the sense of proportion. This is especially important when it comes to a pregnant or nursing mother. It should also be borne in mind that allergy sufferers or people with certain chronic health problems, as well as children under 3 years old, should not eat this sweet.

Properties of raspberry jam

Raspberry jam is a product made from whole or grated berries, usually boiled with sugar in syrup or in their own juice.

Its composition is rich:

  • mono - and disaccharides;
  • vitamins (primarily A, C, E);
  • various minerals: phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, iron, iodine, chlorine;
  • organic acids (salicylic, ellagic, folic);
  • plant phytoncides;
  • pectins;
  • fiber.

The beneficial properties of raspberry jam have long been known to folk medicine. It is used for:

  • antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action;
  • strengthening the immune system;
  • normalization of metabolic processes;
  • thinning blood;
  • improving the color and condition of the skin, hair;
  • neutralization of carcinogens;
  • obtaining the effect of an antidepressant.

The health benefits of raspberry jam primarily depend on how long it has been boiled for. After a long heat treatment, only beta-carotene, pectin and fiber in a very small amount, as well as some mineral salts and organic acids, remain in the composition of this sweetness. Such jam rather has value simply as a sweet delicacy, but not as a healing product, a source of vitamins.

Important! Raspberry jam, prepared in the so-called "cold" way (berries, rubbed with sugar, but not boiled), has all the same properties as fresh raspberries, except that it contains a little less vitamins.

Why raspberry jam is useful for the body

The health benefits of raspberry jam are as follows:

  • the systematic use of this delicacy in food helps to improve intestinal motility, active production of gastric juice;
  • due to its ability to thin the blood, it reduces the risks of strokes;
  • this jam is a natural antibiotic that actively combats inflammatory processes in the body;
  • traditional medicine uses it to combat herpes;
  • it helps with inflammation of the joints, it is indicated in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis;
  • raspberry jam has antipyretic and diaphoretic properties;
  • it is believed that it contributes to the active activity of the brain, improves memory;
  • a significant amount of iron in its composition affects the increase in hemoglobin levels, is beneficial for anemia and anemia;
  • there is the naming of raspberry jam "the elixir of youth" - the vitamin complex included in its composition strengthens the immune system, maintains vitality, a healthy complexion, elasticity and beauty of hair, helps to cope with the negative effects of stress;
  • beta-sitosterol, which raspberry seeds contain, is a substance that prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels and the formation of blood clots, stimulates metabolism and is used to prevent certain types of cancer (prostate carcinoma, breast cancer).
Important! Homemade raspberry jam will provide more health benefits than store-bought raspberry jam. It is not known how long it was cooked, how much and under what conditions the purchased product was stored, and the composition declared on the label is far from always natural.

Briefly about the benefits and dangers of raspberry jam in the video:

Is raspberry jam possible for a nursing mother

There is no single answer to the question of whether it is possible to use raspberry jam while breastfeeding. Undoubtedly, the vitamins and trace elements that this product contains can be very useful for a mother and her baby. However, we must not forget that raspberries are an allergen and in this sense they can do a lot of harm.

Thus, it is necessary to decide whether it is advisable to introduce raspberry jam with HS into the diet of a nursing mother, based on the following:

  • does the woman have a tendency to manifestations of allergy to raspberries, in particular, to skin rashes;
  • is the child healthy and is he at least 4-5 months old at the moment;
  • it is preferable to consult a pediatrician.

In the event that you decide to try to introduce raspberry jam, you should give preference to a natural product prepared by yourself, which does not contain dyes and preservatives. It is best to start with fresh, uncooked raspberries pureed with sugar.

A nursing mother needs to try no more than 1 tsp for the first time. treats, preferably not on an empty stomach and in the morning. After that, you need to observe the baby's reaction for a couple of days. If an allergy manifests itself (in the form of a cough, rashes or spots on the skin), then the product should be excluded from the mother's diet. In addition, the significant amount of sugar in raspberry jam can cause colic, gas, or stool problems for babies. In this case, this sweetness will not bring benefit, it should be discarded.

If there is no negative reaction, then mom can continue to eat raspberry jam little by little, gradually increasing its amount, but no more than up to 5 tsp. per day. You can also include it in various desserts: pudding, milk jelly or curd casserole. This will help the nursing mother to diversify the menu and experience the benefits of the substances included in the product.

Can pregnant women use raspberry jam

Raspberry jam in small quantities is quite acceptable for women during pregnancy, if there are no general contraindications and an allergic reaction.

Properties of raspberry jam useful for pregnant women:

  • it contains a large amount of folic acid, which is necessary for expectant mothers for the normal development of the nervous system of the fetus;
  • the vitamin complex, which is rich in raspberry jam, increases the mother's immunity during the period of bearing the baby.
  • the fiber in its composition prevents constipation;
  • this jam relieves puffiness, intoxication of the body and can dull nausea;
  • it improves the functioning of the circulatory system and increases the level of hemoglobin, which is very important for pregnant women, since during this period the volume of blood circulating in their body increases.

The recommended amount of raspberry jam during pregnancy is no more than 1-2 tbsp. l. a day with warm tea or as an addition to porridge or cottage cheese.

Warning! There is an opinion that immediately before childbirth it is worth refraining from raspberries or jam from it, since this berry reduces blood clotting and can contribute to bleeding.

In any case, it is advisable to coordinate the use of this product during pregnancy with your doctor.

Raspberry jam raises or lowers blood pressure

Among the beneficial properties of raspberry jam is the ability to gently lower blood pressure. It does not relieve the symptoms of hypertension, but fights against its causes. Raspberry jam helps to remove excess fluid from the body, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, prevents the development of arrhythmias, reduces the load on the heart muscle, and has a diaphoretic effect. Therefore, hypertensive patients are advised to regularly drink tea along with a few tablespoons of this delicacy. At the same time, it must be remembered that raspberry jam can only be an auxiliary method of treatment, but it will not replace the main medicine in any way.

Important! For people suffering from low blood pressure (hypotension), raspberry jam is not contraindicated.

Vitamins and trace elements contained in it help to establish metabolic processes and contribute to the overall strengthening of the body. However, it should be used with extreme caution to avoid further pressure drop.

Applying raspberry jam

It is recommended to use raspberry jam for medicinal or prophylactic purposes in its "pure" form or for making healthy tea.

The largest amount of active ingredients remains in the berry, ground or frozen with sugar. "Jam without cooking" will bring the most benefit to the body, but it is stored for no more than six months and only in the cellar or in the refrigerator. An alternative to it is the so-called "five-minute". This jam also retains many useful substances contained in fresh raspberries, but at the same time it can be stored for a year on a pantry shelf in sterilized glass jars under hermetically sealed lids.

To prepare medicinal tea, you should take 1 tbsp. l. raspberry jam, put in a large mug (300-350 ml), pour warm boiled, but not boiling, water and stir well. You can also add a slice of lemon to the cup. It is advised to drink such a drink while it is still warm.

How much raspberry jam can you eat

In order for the benefits of raspberry jam for the human body to manifest itself to the fullest, you need to feast on this sweetness in moderation.

A reasonable rate of consumption of a product is 2-3 tbsp. l. in a day. Nutritionists recommend taking it with tea in the morning, preferably without bread.

Warning! Even those without health problems should not consume raspberry jam and honey at the same time. This can lead to a sharp rise in blood sugar levels.

The harm of raspberry jam

It is important to know that raspberry jam is not only beneficial, but also harmful - in case of certain health problems.

Do not use this product:

  • people who have an allergic reaction to raspberries or have asthma;
  • suffering from high acidity of gastric juice or gastritis, since the composition of this product is rich in acids;
  • for those who have gout or are prone to the formation of kidney stones, the purines that make up raspberry jam can exacerbate the disease;
  • people who have been diagnosed with hemophilia, as raspberry jam thins the blood;
  • children under 3 years old - due to excessive sweetness, it can contribute to the destruction of the weak enamel of milk teeth.

People who have diabetes can eat raspberry jam, which is not made with sugar, but with fructose.

In addition, this product is very high in calories (273 kcal per 100 g). Therefore, despite the benefits that it can bring, it is necessary to use it with caution for those who are prone to obesity or are overweight.

Conclusion

The benefits of raspberry jam are well known and have long been used in folk medicine. The vitamins, minerals and amino acids contained in this dessert make it a real cure for many ailments, especially if it was not boiled for too long during the preparation process. Due to the fact that raspberry jam is natural, its rich composition can benefit pregnant women and nursing mothers if consumed in moderation, after obtaining a doctor's permission. However, there are also contraindications to this sweetness, including a tendency to allergies, a number of diseases and children under 3 years of age.

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