Preventing Cancer with Super Fruits
How the Antioxidants in Super Fruits Can Possibly Prevent Cancer
Feb 12, 2009
Antioxidants are substances believed to protect our cells from free radicals that damage cells, which can lead to cancer. Many exotic fruits are high in antioxidants and, therefore, have been labeled “super fruits” and their role in preventing certain types of cancer is being explored.
Açaí Berry and Leukemia
The açaí berry is harvested in the Brazilian rain forest and are high in antioxidants. In January 2006, a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry by the University of Florida in Gainesville found that extracts from the açaí berry killed up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested. Researchers caution that this was a cell culture experiment, not a human experiment, but it is encouraging. Açaí berry research shows other health benefits. They are high in omega-3 making them very good for heart health, and they are high in omega-6 and -9, meaning they can also help lower bad cholesterol.
Aronia (Black Chokeberry) and Colon Cancer
The super berry aronia is a purplish black berry found in eastern North America, believed to have one of the highest antioxidant values of all red and black berries. Aronia berries, also known as Chokeberry, contains high amounts of anthocyanidins, which have been widely mentioned in cancer research. Nutrition and Cancer in 2006 published a study done by the University of Maryland that showed that the spread of colon cancer cells in rats substantially decreased after they were fed extracts of the aronia berry.
Black Raspberries and Esophageal Cancer
The black raspberry is found predominantly along the west coast of the U.S. and Canada. A 2009 study by Ohio State University and published in Cancer Prevention Research, found that the anthocyanidins in black raspberries can be important for cancer prevention as they slowed the growth of cancerous cells in the esophagus of rats. This backs up another study done in 2001 by Ohio State University that also showed that black raspberries could prevent the onset of esophageal cancer as well as inhibit the growth of precancerous cells in rats.
Goji Berries and Liver Cancer
Also known as Wolf berries, Goji berries are reddish orange berries, mostly found in China. In 2006, the World Journal of Gastroenterology suggested that extracts from the wolfberry help prevent the spread, as well as destroy, certain types of liver cancer cells. Goji berries have other health benefits. They actually contain protein, something not normally found in fruits, as well as lots of fiber.
Lychee and Breast Cancer
Lychee is a tropical fruit from Southern China. A study published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology done by Chinese researchers, found that the lychee fruit may have anti-breast cancer benefits after an extract from the fruit appeared to prevent the formation and progression of human breast cancer cells.
Be sure to speak to your doctor before consuming any of these fruits, berries, juices or their extracts. There have been cases of allergic reactions to the super fruits harvested outside of North America.
More Articles:
 |
