Black Raspberries Help Reduce Skin Allergies
Written by Kriti Iyer
Edited by Theodore Do
Jan 18, 2021
Edited by Theodore Do
Jan 18, 2021
Many of us struggle with allergies on our skin: puffy areas on our body that get irritated quickly, form rashes, and sometimes even leave residual scarring. A phenomenon known as contact hypersensitivity (CHS) plagues many individuals on a daily basis when they come into contact with objects that might cause them irritation. So far, the most common method of treatment is through prescription ointments, as explained by researchers (“Black Raspberries”). However, a recent study published by Ohio State University highlights an innovative lifestyle change that may help in reducing CHS and other common skin allergies.
Researchers at Ohio State University, in an attempt to find alternative treatments for skin allergies, discovered that eating black raspberries, a variant of the popular raspberry, may produce results similar to using steroids or ointments on the skin. This finding was discovered through experimentation on mice. Scientists separated mice into two groups. In one group, researchers fed mice black raspberries along with their daily meals. In the second group, the mice were not fed black raspberries, and stayed on a normal diet. Researchers then induced triggers for CHS behind the ears of the mice, in an attempt to discover whether or not the simple alteration in the diet of the mice would reduce the presence of the allergy. Sure enough, the allergic reaction in the mice that consumed black raspberries diminished!
The black raspberries were found to target aspects of the immune system to reduce the allergies. When an allergen comes into contact with an area of the skin, allergen response cells are instantly released to the site. Black raspberries aid in regulating these cells, thus decreasing allergic response significantly. These same researchers are also attempting to determine whether the fruit can help reduce the risk of inflammation in cancer and other health issues. So next time, when you shop at Whole Foods and pass by the produce aisles, it may be a good idea to pick up the delicious container of black raspberries for all of its health benefits!
Works Cited
Ohio State University. Black Raspberries and Protocatechuic Acid Mitigate DNFB-Induced Contact Hypersensitivity by Down-Regulating Dendritic Cell Activation and Inhibiting Mediators of Effector Responses. Nutrients. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 6 June 2020.
<https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/6/1701/htm>.
Ohio State University. In mouse study, black raspberries show promise for reducing skin inflammation: Early findings indicate eating the fruit could help with skin allergies. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 July 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200702113718.htm>.