Red Raspberry Exract
Also known as: Red Raspberry Extract, Raspberry Leaf Extract, Rubus idaeus, Rubus idaeus extract
Overview
Rubus idaeus extract, commonly known as Red Raspberry Extract, is derived from the fruit or leaves of the *Rubus idaeus* plant. It is categorized as a botanical supplement and herbal extract. This extract contains various phytochemicals, including polyphenols and flavonoids. Traditionally, it has been used for women's reproductive health, particularly to support labor, and for its purported antioxidant and cardiovascular benefits. While research on its cardiovascular effects, especially on lipid profiles and blood pressure, has reached a moderate maturity with several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, these studies have largely found no significant clinical benefits. Evidence supporting its use for reproductive health, such as labor induction or shortening, is primarily preclinical or anecdotal, lacking strong clinical trial support. The overall quality of evidence varies, with cardiovascular claims being systematically reviewed, but reproductive claims still requiring robust clinical validation.
Benefits
Current high-quality evidence suggests limited or no clinically meaningful benefits for Red Raspberry Extract. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found no significant effect of raspberry consumption on lipid profiles (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) or blood pressure compared to controls (p > 0.05). This indicates that it does not significantly improve cardiovascular risk factors. For reproductive health, in vitro studies on red raspberry leaf extracts have shown mixed effects on uterine smooth muscle contractility, with some components causing relaxation and others contraction. However, these effects were observed only at very high concentrations, unlikely to be achieved through typical human consumption. There are no high-quality RCTs in pregnant women confirming its efficacy or safety for labor induction or shortening labor duration. While raspberries contain polyphenols known for antioxidant properties, the clinical relevance of these effects from Red Raspberry Extract in human trials remains to be established.
How it works
The proposed mechanisms of action for Red Raspberry Extract are largely theoretical and not clinically confirmed. For cardiovascular effects, it is hypothesized that polyphenols and flavonoids within the extract might influence lipid metabolism and vascular function. However, clinical evidence has not supported a significant impact on these pathways. Regarding reproductive effects, compounds in raspberry leaf extract may interact with smooth muscle contractility pathways. In vitro studies suggest that certain constituents can either relax or contract uterine smooth muscle, possibly by modulating calcium channels or receptor-mediated pathways. However, the precise molecular targets remain unidentified, and these effects were observed at concentrations far exceeding typical human consumption. The bioavailability of active compounds from oral consumption is generally low, which may contribute to the lack of observed clinical effects.
Side effects
Red Raspberry Extract is generally considered safe, with no major adverse effects reported in randomized controlled trials focusing on cardiovascular outcomes. Side effects, when they occur, are rare and typically mild. The reviewed literature does not document any significant drug interactions or contraindications. However, its safety during pregnancy remains uncertain due to a lack of sufficient clinical data. While traditional use for labor support is common, there is no robust scientific evidence to confirm its safety or efficacy in pregnant women. Therefore, caution is advised, and pregnant individuals should consult a healthcare provider before using Red Raspberry Extract. No specific risk factors for adverse events have been identified in the available research.
Dosage
There is no standardized dosing for Red Raspberry Extract established from clinical trials. Studies included in meta-analyses on cardiovascular outcomes utilized varying doses and forms, including whole fruit and extracts, but did not demonstrate a dose-response relationship for any cardiovascular endpoints. For traditional reproductive uses, preparations and dosages vary widely, and there are no evidence-based dosing recommendations. The lack of established clinical efficacy means that there are no scientifically supported guidelines for how much to take, when to take it, or for what duration. Upper limits and safety thresholds have not been determined through rigorous clinical research, further emphasizing the need for caution, especially given the uncertainty surrounding its effects and safety in specific populations like pregnant women.
FAQs
Does red raspberry extract improve cholesterol or blood pressure?
Current high-quality evidence, including meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, indicates no significant benefit of red raspberry extract on lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides) or blood pressure.
Is red raspberry extract effective for labor induction or shortening labor duration?
No robust clinical evidence supports its efficacy for labor induction or shortening labor. In vitro studies showed effects only at unrealistically high concentrations not achievable through typical consumption.
Is red raspberry extract safe during pregnancy?
Insufficient clinical data exist to confirm its safety during pregnancy. Due to this uncertainty, it is strongly advised to consult a healthcare provider before using it if you are pregnant.
How long does it take to see effects from red raspberry extract?
Given the lack of proven clinical effects for its purported benefits, there is no established timeframe for observing any changes from red raspberry extract supplementation.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11016397/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 RCTs found no significant effect of raspberry consumption on lipid profiles (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) or blood pressure. The study concluded that raspberry supplementation does not offer clinically meaningful cardiovascular benefits, despite some heterogeneity among included studies.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/fsn3.3940 – This source, likely related to the meta-analysis, reinforces the finding that raspberry consumption does not significantly impact cardiovascular risk factors. It contributes to the conclusion that there is no strong evidence for its use in improving lipid profiles or blood pressure.
- https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-139-red-raspberry-leaf-tea/ – This review summarizes in vitro studies on red raspberry leaf extracts, indicating that they caused small contractions or relaxation in uterine/smooth muscle only at very high concentrations. It concludes that there is no clinical support for labor augmentation at typical doses, highlighting the gap between preclinical findings and human relevance.
