Rose Hip Overview

Rose hips, also known as rose hep and rose haw, are the fruits of the rose plant.Other names include dog rose fruit, hipberries, hip fruit, hop fruit, and brier hip. It is usually red or orange, but in some species, the color ranges from dark purple to black.

The health benefits of rose hips include their ability to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, relieve respiratory conditions, prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, increase urination, regulate digestion, boost the immune system, increase circulation, and help in building stronger bones.

Nutrition Value of Rose Hip

Amount Per 100 grams

• Calories 162
• Total Fat 0.3 g
• Sodium 4 mg
• Potassium 429 mg – 12% RDA
• Total Carbohydrate 38 g – 12% RDA
• Dietary fiber 24 g – 96% RDA
• Sugar 2.6 g
• Protein 1.6 g – 3% RDA
• Vitamin A 86% RDA
• Vitamin C 710% RDA
• Calcium 16% RDA
• Iron 6% RDA
• Vitamin B-6 5% RDA
• Magnesium 17% RDA

10 Nutrition Health Benefits of Rose Hip

1. Aids in Digestion

The various acids within rose hips, as well as pectin, are known to induce urination and excretion. As a diuretic rose hips can help eliminate toxins from the body, as well as excess salts, liquids, and even fat. By stimulating bowel movements, rose hips can help a person avoid a number of unfortunate health
conditions and discomforts.

Nutrition Health Benefits of Rose Hip

2. Boosts Immunity

Rose hips contain vitamin C which stimulates white blood cells and is also essential for the prevention of asthma and general health of the respiratory system. This can be seen in the reduction of respiratory conditions such as cold and flu through the intake of rose hips and its high levels of vitamin C.

3. Skin Care

Rose Hips has astringent quality which keeps the skin elastic, so it doesn’t develop wrinkles. It eliminates the flaws easily, heals the burns and scars, and makes the skin look younger and vibrant.

4. Bone Health

Vitamin C in rose hip is essential in the production of collagen. Collagen along with the other important minerals found in rose hips, can help prevent osteoporosis by maintaining bone mineral density well into your old age, keeping you strong, flexible.

5. Improves Circulation

Rose hips have a significant amount of iron, which is an essential component in the creation of red blood cells. Therefore, having an adequate amount of rose hips in your diet can prevent anemia and also keep your essential organs well-oxygenated, thus increasing metabolic activity and optimizing the functionality of various organ systems.

6. Reduces Cancer Risk

The carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols that can be found in rose hips are very powerful antioxidants, which eliminate or neutralize free radicals found within the body. Free radicals are the by-products of cellular metabolism that damage healthy cells by causing them to mutate into cancerous cells.

Rose hips also contain other active compounds called carotenoids, which are known to decelerate the expansion of certain forms of tumor. Rose hip extract was also found to prevent epithelitis, which could be caused by radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. The fruit has also been observed to stop and even reverse the growth of certain cancers

Rose hips also contain lycopene (the compound that renders them their red color). Lycopene is popular for its anticancer activity. It stimulates the communication between cells, the damage of which leads to the growth of cancerous tumors.

7. Help Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rose hips contain the fatty acid GOPO, which, as per experts, is the plant version of fish oil. And GOPO could be one of the contributing factors for the fruit’s anti-arthritic properties. Rose hip extract pills were found to reduce arthritic pain by as much as 90 percent. In fact, one popular arthritic medicine called LitoZin is made from processed ground rose hips.

8. Prevents Anemia

Rose hips contain iron which is essential for the formation of haemoglobin and this helps prevent anemia. Vitamin C is also helps the body to absorp iron better.

9. Cardiovascular Health

The flavonoids and antioxidants in rose hip also protect the body against heart disease. The vitamin C in rose hips also helps maintain the health of blood vessels. Rose hip extract has been linked to lowered cholesterol levels, this helps prevent heart diseases like atherosclerosis, stroke among others.

10. Treats Inflammation

Rose hip has anti inflammatory properties which help prevent cartilage erosion. As per one Denmark study, regular intake of rose hip can reduce the levels of C-reactive protein, a substance produced by the liver that increases in concentration with an increase in inflammation.