Role of Berries in cancer prevention
Berries are loaded with antioxidants that can prevent cancer by mopping up the free radicals i.e. the oxygen molecules. Also all types of berries particularly strawberries and raspberries have high content of ellagic acid that can fight various types of cancers (skin, bladder, lung, esophagus and breast). Ellagic acid acts as an antioxidant, helps to deactivate specific carcinogens, slowing down the reproduction of cancer cells and it is also a potent anti-angiogenetic factor, which can slow the growth of blood vessels that feed new tumor cells. Another phytonutrient Quercetin that is found in abundance in strawberries, can induce apoptosis (programmed death of cancer cells). According to a recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Quercetin and whole strawberry extract inhibited the proliferation of human liver cancer cells, produced a dramatic increase in cell death (up to 80 percent) after 18 hours of treatment and retarded the proliferation of these cells prior to their death [1].
Blueberries contain a family of phenolic compounds called anthocyanosides (because of which these berries are blue), which are among the most potent antioxidants yet discovered [2]. Recent research found that black raspberry and strawberry extracts have the most effective apoptosis inducing effects. Recent studies from the College of Public Health at Ohio State University, Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio, discovered that black raspberries prevent cervical cancer cell growth and tumor formation and also they inhibit inflammation and induce apoptosis in esophageal and colorectal cancer tissues [3]. The ellagic acid in strawberries can deactivate specific carcinogens and decrease the replication of cancer cells. Also The College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island analyzed the Jamun berries (Indian blackberry) extract and found that it exhibited pro-apoptotic effects against breast cancer cells.
But it is very important to consume only organic berries because recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that a single sample of berries contained 13 different pesticides. Also a Pesticide Action Network analysis found 54 different pesticides among strawberry samples, including nine probable carcinogens, 24 suspected hormone disruptors, 11 neurotoxins and 12 reproductive toxins. Also the phytonutrient content of organic strawberries is higher than in conventionally grown strawberries, especially vitamin C. Compost as a soil supplement increases the level of antioxidant compounds in strawberries. A Swedish research found the most effective extracts at inhibiting cell proliferation contained 48 percent more ascorbate and five times more dehydroascorbate (Vitamin C is ascorbate plus dehydroascorbate.) The organic strawberries had more antioxidants and a higher ratio of ascorbate to dehydroascorbate. So adding a cup of cancer-fighting berries a day to diet may reduce many risk factors, and help battle certain types of cancers.
