Raspberries are an excellent source of antioxidants and phytonutrients called anthocyanins, which may protect against cancer. In a study published in Cancer Research, rats given a diet containing 5% to 10% black raspberries had a 43% to 62% decrease in the number of esophageal tumors.
In subsequent studies, black raspberry extracts inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells and also demonstrated activity against esophageal cancer in rats.
In a recent Ohio State University study, black raspberry powder was given to patients who had colorectal cancer. The investigators found evidence that black raspberries had a positive impact on biomarkers of colorectal cancer, enough for them to conclude that additional studies of black raspberries “for the prevention of colorectal cancer in humans now appear warranted.” Raspberries may be an important part of a cancer prevention diet.
References
Johnson JL et al. Effect of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L) extract variation conditioned by cultivar, production site, and fruit maturity stage on colon cancer cell proliferation. J Agric Food Chem 2011 Mar 9; 59(5): 1638-45
Kresty LA et al. Chemoprevention of esophageal tumorigenesis by dietary administration of lyophilized black raspberries. Cancer Res 2001 Aug 15; 61(16): 6112-19
Wang LS et al. Mechanistic basis for the chemopreventive effective of black raspberries at a late stage of rat esophageal carcinogenesis. Mol Carcinog 2011 Apr; 50(4): 291-300
