Obesity has emerged as a significant global health challenge, prompting extensive research into effective treatments. Among the various natural remedies being explored, rosehip extract has garnered attention for its potential anti-obesity effects. This article synthesizes current research to provide a comprehensive overview of rosehip's role in weight management.
The Global Obesity Epidemic
Obesity is a worldwide problem, and researchers are constantly looking for effective ways to combat it. Obesity is one of the most important diseases and has become a global health problem. It is caused when a balance between energy intake and expenditure is lost and is characterized as a state of increased body weight by excessive lipid accumulation in the white adipose tissue. Hypertrophied fat cells can increase a risk of type 2 diabetes associated with insulin resistance.
Rosehip: A Natural Remedy
Rosehip, the whole fruit of Rosa canina L. belonging to the family Rosaceae, is popular all over the world. Rose hips come from the rose plant and can be used to make tea. This tea is easy to brew and is full of antioxidants, has protective properties, and may even fight skin aging. Rosehip tea is an herbal tea made from the pseudo-fruits of the rose plant. It has a delicate, floral flavor that’s slightly sweet with a distinct tart aftertaste. Found just below the rose petals, rose hips are small, round, and typically red or orange. There are several hundred species of rose plants, though research on rose hips has focused on the pseudo-fruits of the Rosa canina plant. Rose hips have been linked to numerous benefits, including improved immunity, heart health, weight loss, and skin aging.
Scientific Studies on Rosehip and Obesity
Animal Studies
Investigations in mice have demonstrated that rosehip extract inhibits body weight gain and decreases visceral fat.
- Ninomiya et al. showed that an 80% aqueous acetone extract of the whole fruit of R. canina L. significantly suppressed body weight gain and prevented increases in the visceral fat in nonobese mice without any changes in diet intake. They also reported that tiliroside upregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α messenger RNA in the liver.
- In an 8-week study in mice prone to obesity, those fed a high-fat diet containing 1% rosehip extract gained significantly less body weight and stomach fat than animals that did not receive the supplement.
- Studies in mice on a high-fat diet, supplementing with rosehip powder over 10-20 weeks significantly decreased blood sugar levels, fasting insulin levels, and fat cell growth in the liver - three risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
- In another study, rosehip extract significantly lowered fasting blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes.
- It has been noted in mice that rose hip supplementation is able to reduce lipid and triglyceride accumulation in the liver, suggesting possible benefits to the development of fatty liver.
Human Studies
We conducted a 12-week, single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 32 subjects who had a body mass index of ≥25 but <30. The subjects were assigned to two random groups, and they received one tablet of placebo or rosehip that contained 100 mg of rosehip extract once each day for 12 weeks with no dietary intervention. Abdominal fat area and body fat percent were measured as primary outcomes.
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The results of the present study demonstrate that rosehip extract may be useful as a supplement to safely reduce abdominal visceral fat in preobese subjects.
- Abdominal total fat area, abdominal visceral fat area, body weight, and body mass index decreased significantly in the rosehip group at week 12 compared with their baseline levels (P<0.01) after receiving the rosehip tablet intake, and the decreases in these parameters were significantly higher when compared with those in the placebo group.
- Additionally, body fat percent tended to decrease compared with the placebo group and their baseline level.
- Moreover, the abdominal subcutaneous fat area was significantly lower in the rosehip group than in the placebo group at week 12 after the initiation of intake (P<0.05).
- In a 12-week study in 32 adults with excess weight, taking 100 mg of rosehip extract daily significantly decreased body weight and stomach fat, compared with the placebo group.
- Supplementation of 40g rose hip powder via a beverage for six weeks in obese people was noted to significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 4.9% and 6% respectively. When only considering individuals not on statin therapy, the magnitude slightly increased to 5.5% and 8.6%.
The Role of Tiliroside
Recently, the antiobesity effects of rosehip have been clarified by in vitro and in vivo studies. Ninomiya et al showed that an 80% aqueous acetone extract of the whole fruit of R. canina L. significantly suppressed body weight gain and prevented increases in the visceral fat in nonobese mice without any changes in diet intake. They also reported that tiliroside upregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α messenger RNA in the liver.
Studies show that rose hips from the Rosa canina plant are high in an antioxidant called tiliroside, which may have fat-burning properties.
- Ninomiya et al administered 0.1-10 mg/kg of tiliroside to mice for 2 weeks and observed the suppression of body weight gain, decreased amount of visceral fat, and they also found that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor messenger RNA was upregulated in the liver of tiliroside-administered mice.
- Furthermore, Goto et al demonstrated that tiliroside stimulates fatty acid oxidation in obesity model KK-Ay mice. These reports indicate that the antiobesity effects of rosehip extract or tiliroside depend on the inhibition of lipid accumulation in adipose tissue and the stimulation of fatty acid oxidation.
- Obese, diabetic mice on a high-fat diet along with 100mg/kg tiliroside, a compound in rose hip which is thought to reduce fat accumulation, failed to reduce body fat gain over three weeks despite having bioactivity in the liver.
Other Potential Health Benefits of Rosehip
Beyond weight loss, rosehip offers a range of other potential health benefits, primarily attributed to its rich antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties.
Immune System Support
One of the most impressive benefits of rose hips is their high concentration of vitamin C. While the exact amount varies by plant, rose hips have been shown to have among the highest vitamin C content of all fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C plays many essential roles in your immune system, including: stimulating the production of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which protect your body against infection; enhancing the function of lymphocytes; helping maintain your skin’s protective barrier against outside pathogens.
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In addition to vitamin C, rose hips contain high levels of polyphenols and vitamins A and E, all of which help strengthen and protect your immune system.
Heart Health
Due to its high concentration of antioxidants, rosehip tea may benefit heart health. Studies suggest a relationship between vitamin C intake and heart disease risk. One review of 13 studies found that supplementing with at least 500 mg of vitamin C per day was associated with a significant decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood triglycerides, two risk factors for heart disease. Additionally, observational studies have linked insufficient vitamin C intake to an increased risk of dying from heart disease.
Rose hips are also high in flavonoids. These antioxidants have been shown to reduce blood pressure in people with elevated levels and improve blood flow to the heart.
Protection Against Type 2 Diabetes
While the exact mechanism is unclear, some research suggests that rose hips may protect against type 2 diabetes. In a study in mice on a high-fat diet, supplementing with rosehip powder over 10-20 weeks significantly decreased blood sugar levels, fasting insulin levels, and fat cell growth in the liver - three risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Reduction of Inflammation and Pain
Rosehip tea is high in compounds with anti-inflammatory effects, including polyphenols and galactolipids. In a review of three studies, supplementing with rosehip significantly reduced joint pain in people with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, those receiving rosehip were twice as likely to report improved pain levels, compared with the placebo group.
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Skin Health
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and responsible for providing elasticity to your skin. Vitamin C has been shown to promote collagen synthesis and protect skin cells against sun damage, both of which can help keep your skin looking tighter and more youthful. As rosehip tea is high in this vitamin, drinking it could benefit your skin.
Additionally, rosehip tea contains the carotenoid astaxanthin, which may have anti-aging effects, as it helps prevent the breakdown of collagen.
Brewing Rosehip Tea
Rosehip tea has a tart flavor similar to that of green apple and can be made from the pseudo-fruits of any rose plant. Still, it’s recommended to avoid using rose hips from a plant that’s been sprayed with a pesticide that isn’t labeled safe for human consumption.
Fresh rose hips can be used for tea by first rinsing them well to remove any dirt and debris. Next, place 4-8 rose hips in a cup (240 ml) of boiled water. Let the tea steep for 10-15 minutes and then remove the fruits.
Dried rose hips can be used as well. You can either dry fresh rose hips yourself or buy pre-dried, loose-leaf rosehip tea. To brew, place 1-2 teaspoons of dried rose hips in an infuser and submerge it in a cup (240 ml) of boiled water. Steep for 10-15 minutes and then remove the infuser.
Precautions
Rosehip tea has not been shown to cause serious side effects in most healthy adults. However, certain individuals should avoid rose hip tea. For example, the safety and efficacy of rosehip tea have not been studied in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s best to speak with your healthcare provider before trying this tea if you’re pregnant or nursing.
Additionally, due to its high levels of vitamin C, rosehip tea may increase the risk of kidney stones in some individuals. Finally, if you’re currently taking lithium - a drug used to treat psychiatric disorders - it’s recommended to avoid rosehip tea, as its diuretic effect could increase the concentration of lithium in your body, causing serious side effects.