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Rose Hips Pdr

Also known as: Rose hips, Rosehip, Rosehip powder, Rose hip extract, Rosa canina L.

Overview

Rose hips are the fruit of the Rosa canina plant, renowned for their rich content of vitamin C, polyphenols, carotenoids, and other potent antioxidants. Rosehip powder (Pdr) is a dried, ground form of these fruits, primarily utilized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is commonly consumed as a dietary supplement, with research focusing on its potential benefits for osteoarthritis, cardiovascular health, and metabolic regulation. The scientific understanding of rosehip is moderately mature, supported by several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, particularly in the areas of osteoarthritis and cardiovascular/metabolic risk markers. The quality of evidence varies but includes systematic reviews and well-designed RCTs with adequate sample sizes, providing a solid foundation for its reported effects.

Benefits

Rosehip powder offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. For cardiovascular and metabolic health, daily intake (around 40 g/day) has been shown to significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (by approximately 3.4%), total cholesterol (4.9%), LDL cholesterol (6.0%), and the LDL/HDL ratio (6.5%) in obese individuals over 6 weeks, leading to a 17% reduction in the Reynolds cardiovascular risk score. Some studies also indicate a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose (-20.4%) and HbA1c (-13.5%), with effects comparable to metformin in one study. While not fully consistent, some research suggests reductions in abdominal total fat area (-6.4%), visceral fat area (-10.4%), body weight (-2.0%), and BMI (-2.0%). For osteoarthritis and pain relief, meta-analyses of RCTs demonstrate that rosehip powder significantly reduces pain and improves hip flexion over placebo after 4 months of treatment. Different preparations and doses appear similarly effective, with some enhanced formulations showing greater symptom improvement. Rosehip is generally well tolerated, with a low incidence of mild adverse events similar to placebo.

How it works

The therapeutic effects of rosehip are primarily attributed to its rich content of antioxidant polyphenols and anti-inflammatory compounds, notably galactolipids and vitamin C. These bioactive constituents work by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which are fundamental processes underlying cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and osteoarthritis. Rosehip may modulate lipid metabolism, improve endothelial function, and inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The active compounds are absorbed after oral intake, exerting systemic effects. The specific mechanisms involve the scavenging of free radicals and the modulation of inflammatory pathways, leading to the observed improvements in various health markers.

Side effects

Rosehip powder is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported in randomized controlled trials lasting up to several months. The incidence of adverse events is low and typically comparable to placebo groups. Common side effects (occurring in more than 5% of users) are not well documented, suggesting they are minimal. Uncommon side effects (occurring in 1-5% of users) may include mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, as reported in some studies. There are no significant drug interactions or contraindications extensively documented in the reviewed literature. However, caution is theoretically advised for individuals with known allergies to plants in the rose family (Rosaceae) or those taking anticoagulant medications due to a theoretical, though unproven, risk of increased bleeding. Overall, the safety profile of rosehip is favorable, with most users experiencing no or only mild, transient side effects.

Dosage

Effective doses of rosehip powder or extract in clinical trials vary depending on the intended use. For osteoarthritis, common dosages range from 2.5 g to 5 g daily, often divided into two doses. For cardiovascular and metabolic effects, higher doses, such as 40 g per day, have been used in studies. The duration of treatment in studies ranges from 6 weeks for cardiovascular/metabolic benefits to 4 months for osteoarthritis symptom relief. There is no established maximum safe dose, but doses up to 40 g/day have been administered without serious adverse effects. The timing of intake relative to meals is not considered critical, but taking it with food may help minimize any potential mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Enhanced formulations, such as concentrated extracts in capsules, may offer greater symptom relief for osteoarthritis at lower gram dosages compared to bulk powder.

FAQs

Is rosehip powder effective for joint pain?

Yes, clinical trials and meta-analyses support that rosehip powder can provide modest but statistically significant pain reduction and improved joint function in individuals with osteoarthritis.

Does rosehip help with cholesterol?

Yes, research indicates that rosehip intake can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, contributing to a reduction in cardiovascular risk.

Are there side effects?

Side effects from rosehip powder are rare and generally mild, primarily involving minor gastrointestinal discomfort. Serious adverse events have not been reported in clinical trials.

How long before benefits appear?

Cardiovascular and metabolic benefits may become apparent within 6 weeks of consistent use, while relief from osteoarthritis symptoms may require several months of daily intake.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10821714/ – This systematic review found that rosehip extract significantly decreased fasting blood glucose by 20.4% and HbA1c by 13.5%, with effects comparable to metformin. It also noted reductions in abdominal fat and body weight in some studies, highlighting rosehip's potential in metabolic health.
https://www.nature.com/articles/ejcn2011203 – This randomized controlled trial involving 31 obese subjects demonstrated that daily intake of 40g rosehip powder for 6 weeks significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 3.4%, LDL cholesterol by 6%, and the Reynolds cardiovascular risk score by 17%. No significant changes in body weight or glucose tolerance were observed.
https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/comparing-different-preparations-and-doses-of-rosehip-powder-in-patients-with-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee-an-exploratory-.pdf – This exploratory RCT, involving 150 patients, compared different rosehip powder preparations and found similar efficacy across them for osteoarthritis symptom relief. It also confirmed the mild nature of adverse events, supporting flexibility in preparation choice.
https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/july/rosehip – This source, likely a review or commentary, discusses the efficacy of rosehip powder (2.5-5 g/day) in reducing pain and improving hip flexion in osteoarthritis patients over 4 months, based on a meta-analysis of 287 patients. It also highlights the good safety profile of rosehip.