Botanists call the seed-bearing fruit of wild rose plants "rose hips." Typically reddish and oval, they often taste simultaneously sweet and tart. The sharp flavor makes rose hips a suitable ingredient in tea and food products such as jelly and syrup, although some individuals use them as a dietary supplement or medicinal compound. People who take rose hips to enhance their diet or health should always speak with a qualified health specialist before doing so.
Features
Native to parts of Asia, Europe and North Africa, rose hips are among the richest sources of natural vitamin C. In fact, they provide more vitamin C than comparably sized servings of citrus fruit, a widely used source of the nutrient, and vegetables such as broccoli and kale. When fresh, rose hips contain up to 1,250 mg of vitamin C in each 100 g portion. More importantly, the human body can absorb the type of vitamin C found in rose hips very efficiently. Rose hips contain other compounds and nutrients besides vitamin C, including carotenoids, flavonoids, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and vitamins A and K.
Toxicity
Scientists have not discovered any consistent poisonous or unsafe effects of rose hips as of August 2011, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. No reports of side effects related to consumption of rose hips exist, either, says Drugs.com. In addition, researchers have not confirmed any dangerous interactions with medications or other drugs among people who consume rose hips, according to Drugs.com.
Potential Problems
Although rose hips do not seem to possess poisonous properties when consumed, some individuals have suffered a serious respiratory allergy after coming into contact with the dust of rose hips. Insufficient evidence exists regarding the impact of rose hips on breastfeeding or pregnant women as well. Consequently, expecting and nursing women should remain very cautious if they decide to consume rose hips. Consulting a health care specialist first can help prevent undesired health problems. To protect their health, people who use rose hips in beverages and food, such as tea and sauces, should also ensure they were not sprayed or treated with an unsafe pesticide.
Considerations
The abundant vitamin C in rose hips can help users meet the daily requirement for the nutrient. Because health specialists have not established a recommended or safe dosage for rose hips, users often consume only enough to get the amount of vitamin C they need. You can also acquire or prepare rose hips in various forms, such as dried, fresh or preserved. However, processing fresh rose hips removes a considerable percentage of the vitamin C they contain. Placing them in or handling them with objects made of aluminum reduces the vitamin C in rose hips as well.
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