One of the rosehip species that are not as well known as red rosehip but is superior in terms of some compounds it contains is the fruit of Rosa pimpinellifolia L., known as the “black rosehip.”
Black rosehip is a wild fruit belonging to the Rosa family that is highly beneficial to health. It is purple-black and is more plump than the pointed and oval red rosehip.
A black rosehip is a short shrub about 1 meter long with many thorns. It grows on rocky slopes, volcanic rocks, limestone soils and at an altitude of 1200–2750 meters.
Depending on the species and the region where it grows, the flowering period of rosehip is generally between April and June, and the fruit-picking period is between September and October. There are 70-100 rosehip species worldwide and approximately 25% (27 species) of them grow in Turkiye.
Black rosehip fruit is not as common in the field as red rosehip and, therefore, is not consumed by humans as much as other varieties of rosehip. In addition, it is less common than other varieties of rosehip to be transformed into new products (marmalade, molasses, fruit juice).
This plant is known as “rose pimprenelle” in France, “klitrose” in Denmark, “burnet rose” or “pimpinell rose” in England, “trollnype” in Norway, “bodicasti sipek” in Slovenia, “thorny rose” or “sleeping beauty” in Iceland, “dünen rose” in Germany, “duinroos” in Netherlands and “koyungözü (sheep eye)” in Turkiye.
It is not consumed as much as red rosehip due to its bitter aroma and flavor. Based on this, it is less known and consumed because it does not appeal to conventional habits and has not been tried enough.
Obviously, black rosehip is an excellent source of antioxidants, can be evaluated economically, and people will have easier access to natural antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Black Rosehip
The fruits of most wild plants with a bush form are used in different regions to treat diseases such as colds. Like red rosehip, black rosehip also greatly strengthens the immune system and fights various infections.
Black rosehip fruit is among the fruits richest in vitamin C. Vitamin C, a type of antioxidant, prevents the proliferation of harmful cells in the body. As it is known, vitamin C supports the bone and muscle system by helping the body produce collagen. In addition, vitamin C increases iron absorption from the intestines.
In addition to vitamin C, black rosehip fruit contains significant amounts of vitamins A, B6, E and K, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, anthocyanin and some thiamine, riboflavin and niacin, which are very beneficial molecules and minerals for health.
However, it is known that black rosehip fruit has relatively high antioxidant and phenolic content. Some studies state that black rosehip has a higher antioxidant potential than red.
In a study, it was determined that black rose hips contain 57.94% water, 2.64% carbohydrates, 2.41% ash (minerals) and 3.12% protein (For more detailed information, you can visit this article; Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activities, and Chemical Compositions of Extracts Obtained from Rosa pimpinellifolia L. Flesh and Seeds Using Different Methods and Solvents).
Five grams of dried black rosehip is enough to meet approximately 35% of daily vitamin C needs, 5% of vitamin A needs, 1% of calcium needs and 5% of fiber needs.
It is reported to have quite high values in bioactive components compared to other similar plants. Based on this, black rosehip fruit is thought to be a good source of bioactive phytochemicals due to its high phenolic and anthocyanin content.
These contents mentioned have antiradical effects and are critical bioactive components for health, especially in preventing cancer. Black rosehip has also been found to have antitumor and antibacterial effects. It is reported that black rosehip, which has a protective feature against free radicals, prevents the growth and development of cancer cells. For this reason, it is a significant fruit in preventing cancer or creating resistance to such diseases.
Scientific studies have shown that black rosehip fruit may have significant effects against health problems such as;
• cancer,
• rheumatic diseases,
• constipation and urinary tract problems,
• blood pressure disorders,
• colds,
• high cholesterol,
• anemia,
• kidney disorders,
• liver-related disorders,
• heart diseases and vascular occlusion.
In addition, it is reported that it is also effective in protecting eye and skin health.
In addition to these effects, when the vitamins and minerals it contains are added, it becomes an excellent food source in terms of increasing body resistance.
Black rosehip fruit also has a perfect color feature. In this respect, it has the potential to be used in the food coloring sector, where quite problematic applications are made today. It can be used as food coloring, especially in products consumed by children.
When all the features mentioned here are considered, it stands out for being very beneficial for health and organic. Since these types of fruits are not cultivated but grow wild, it can be said that they are one of the rare organic foods you can see.
The results of a study in which a research team including me investigated the effect of black rosehip on oxidative stress were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira in 2024.
In the study, treatment groups were formed with different doses of black rosehip fruit extract and rats that developed jaundice. As a result of the study, it was shown for the first time that black rosehip (Rosa pimpinellifolia L) fruit extract, enriched with flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, has a significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by combating especially the early-stage oxidative stress parameters involved in cholestatic liver damage caused by bile duct ligation.
If you are interested, you can read the full article; Demircioğlu, M. K., Demircioğlu, Z. G., Çakır, O., Yanar, K., Ozguven, M. B. Y., Atukeren, P., … & Yazıcı, P. (2024). Antioxidant effect of Rosa pimpinellifolia L. fruit extract on cholestatic liver injury: an experimental study.
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