Black raspberries contain a compound that can help prevent cancer, according to new research, which could make them a valuable component of nutritional supplements in the future.
Findings published in Cancer Prevention Research suggest that a type of flavonoid called anthocyanins can inhibit the growth of esophageal cancer in rats.
Researchers at the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center said that their findings will be used to formulate a treatment that can be given to patients to take advantage of the berrys chemopreventive qualities.
“The goal is to potentially replace whole berry powder with its active components and then figure out better ways to deliver these components to tissues, to increase their uptake and effectiveness,” commented Professor Gary D. Stoner.
As part of the study, the scientists gave rats an extract of black raspberries that was rich in anthocyanin and discovered that it stimulated apoptosis (cell death) as well as inhibiting growth of cancer.
In previous research conducted by the same team, black raspberries had showed promise at helping to prevent colon cancer.