Rosehip – What is it? Uses, nutritional properties and benefits of rosehip
Rosehip: What is it?
The rosehip, rosehip, or fruit of the rose is the fleshy fruit of the shrubs of the genus rose, belonging to the Rosaceae family. There are more than 100 species of rosehip; there are orange, yellow, black, and pink fruits. The nutritional properties of rosehip have aroused great interest in nutritionists. As well as potential uses of the oil and powder as a treatment for arthritis and the improvement of skin health have been confirmed.
Rosehip is one of the foods rich with vitamin C par excellence. Its content exceeds that of other fruits such as oranges. It was traditionally used as an alternative when citrus crops were scarce. (1) The rosehip fruit’s nutritional properties, benefits, and uses are described below.
Nutritional properties of rosehip
Like other berries, the rosehip fruit is low in calories. However, it provides a high content of micronutrients.
Nutritional value of 100 g rosehip:
- Calories – 26 kcal
- Proteins – 0.5 g
- Total carbohydrates – 6 g
- Dietary fiber – 4 g
- Vitamin A – 4% (of Daily Needs)
- Vitamin B5 – 3%
- Vitamin C – 76%
- Vitamin E –6%
The orange rosehip fruits are high in carotenoids: lycopene and beta-carotene. Two types of molecules with potential properties and uses to improve skin health.
Those of dark color (red and black) have more excellent antioxidant properties. This is explained due to its high concentration not only of vitamin C but of catechins, tannins, and vitamin E.
Rosehip benefits
Rosehip is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory. Today science has confirmed the properties of rosehip as an anti-aging and as a potential treatment to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis, lose weight and improve cardiovascular health. The benefits of rosehip are:
- Improve skin health
Both the oil and rosehip-based powders have potential properties for improving skin health. Studies (2) (1) confirm a significant improvement in elasticity and longevity when taking rosehip extracts for more than eight weeks. The results of the progress in the restoration of skin cells can be seen in the following figure:
- Reduce harmful cholesterol levels
Taking powders made from rose hips can help lower bad cholesterol levels significantly. The results were positive in a study (4) where 40 g of supplements made from rosehip fruit bases were taken.
- It can help reduce visceral fat.
Studies suggest that the antioxidants present in rosehip can increase fat metabolism and thus reduce visceral fat. (3) In addition, it is a food with vegetable fiber and low in calories, two nutritional properties associated with reducing the feeling of hunger.
- It can reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Rosa canina make the oil a product with potential uses as a treatment for osteoarthritis. It is not yet known how the mechanism works to alleviate the symptoms of this disease. However, studies suggest that it may be due to the benefits of this fruit’s terpenes, carotenoids, and fatty acids.
Rosehip uses
One of the most common uses for rosehip is in the form of tea. It can also be used as a fruit to prepare desserts and soups in haute cuisine. The flavor of rosehip is similar to that of other red fruits such as blueberries, with a slightly accentuated acid flavor.
In addition, due to its recent findings in properties for the skin and joints, Rosehip extracts are also used in the cosmetic and medical industry. Its effects in relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis are similar to those of other nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
