Can Strawberries Help Fight Cancer?

WELLNESS-There have been a number of studies over the years that could show evidence of strawberries fighting off cancer.  

Tong Chen lead a study showing the effects of freeze dried strawberries on patients with esophageal cancer which is the 6^th leading cause of cancer deaths world wide.  Of the 36 participants, 29 of them showed a slowing down of the cancer growth indicating that strawberries very well could help fight cancer.  There are a number of different chemicals in strawberries that aid in good health making it somewhat challenging to pin the health benefits on just one compound.  

One of the more studied compounds is called anthocyanin.  This compound is a powerful flavanoid that is found in a number of other fruits and vegetables with red blue and purple coloring.  This compound has been studied for years due to its relationship with the immunity and its potential for fighting disease.  Scientists know there is a an anti cancer and antioxidant affect with anthocyanin in regards to cancer, but they are having a hard time proving that this alone can help fight it.  

Another important compound found in strawberries is quercetin.  This is found in a number of fruits and vegetables and is a powerful flavenol.  Quercetin is found in many different foods from broccoli and cilantro to capers.  Besides showing promise in the fight against cancer, quercetin has also been shown to be effective in staving off allergies and hay fever.  

Phenolic acid is another ingredient making strawberries so special.  In one study on phenolic acid and breast cancer, there was in fact evidence showing the slowing down in the growth of cells.  We all know that when it comes to cancer cells, a slowing and stopping of the growth of those cells is exactly what health care providers are aiming for. 

There is a good chance that it is not one specific compound that makes strawberries so special.  Rather, it is the perfect balance and blend of a number of powerful antioxidants and vitamins that give this small delicate fruit so much power.  

Eat your strawberries, and know that within 2 days of being picked this delicate fruit starts to lose its vitamin content.  Try to get your strawberries as close to when they are picked as possible. If it is over 2 days, they wont hurt you, but they simply wont be a potent with much of the vitamin C being gone from the fruit. Farmers markets will probably be your best bet and they will be able to tell you when the strawberries were harvested and the person selling them just may be the same person who harvested them. 

 

 (Christian Cristiano is an acupuncturist in LA, TV host of Wellness for Realists and writes on wellness regularly for CityWatch. Christian can be reached at 323.935.3420. twitter: @CristianoWFR)

-cw

 

 

CityWatch

Vol 13 Issue 41

Pub: May 19, 2015