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Raspberries Helpful for Throat Cancer
Cancer Research 2001;61:6112-6119
Black raspberries may contain compounds that prevent esophageal
cancer and keep precancerous growths from becoming malignant.
According to the report rats injected with a cancer-causing
compound were less likely to develop cancer of the esophagus
when black raspberries comprised 5% to 10% of their daily
diet. The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking
berries with lower cancer risk.
Raspberries contain many vitamins, minerals, plant compounds
and antioxidants known as anthocyanins that may protect against
cancer. While it is not clear how these compounds fight off
cancer, the researchers recommend that individuals include
a serving of fresh or frozen berries in their daily diet.
In the study, researchers injected rats with NMBA, a chemical
that has been shown to cause esophageal cancer. Some rats
consumed a diet comprised of 5% to 10% black raspberries before
and/or after receiving injections, while other rats were fed
diets that did not include raspberries.
Rats that consumed the greatest amount of black raspberries
both 2 weeks before and up to 30 weeks after NMBA injections
had 49% fewer tumors than rats whose diets did not include
black raspberries, the researchers report.
Additionally, tumors that had developed in rats fed raspberries
only after receiving the injections were found to decrease
in size after 15 weeks.
After 25 weeks, rats fed diets of 5% to 10% black raspberries
saw the number of esophageal tumors decrease by 43% to 62%.
A diet containing 5% black raspberries was more effective
than a diet containing 10% black raspberries.
There may be a threshold over which protective compounds
such as antioxidants, which normally neutralize disease-causing
free radicals, actually damage DNA in the presence of a carcinogen
like NMBA.
Esophageal cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death
in the world, according to the report. Just 8% to 12% of individuals
will survive 5 years after being diagnosed with the disease.
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