WWF RASPBERRY GROWING AND RESEARCH PAGE [The World] [Flying Geese Graphic] BERRIES AS CANCER-FIGHTERS? Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries may be even better for our health than we thought. The vitamin-rich, fiber-full berries may also inhibit cancer, reports Dr. Gary Stoner of the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. Stoner believes that ellagic acid, which is naturally found in the berries, acts as a scavenger and binds to cancer-causing chemicals, making them inactive. While ellagic acid is found naturally in many fruits, the levels in raspberries, blackberries and strawberries are some five or six times higher than those in apples, pears, and plums. Stoner reports that ellagic acid "markedly inhibits the ability of other chemicals to cause mutations in bacteria ... causes a 50% reduction in lung tumors in mice and rats ...prevents binding of carcinogens to DNA, and ... reduces the includence of cancer in cultured human cells exposed to carcinogens." Stoner's findings were reported in The Cornell Small Fruits Newsletter and in "The Grower", a publication of the fruit and vegetable industry. Northland Berry News recently carried a story (12/94) confirming and expanding on this issue: "Research at the South Carolina School of Medicine Hollings Cancer Center indicates a higher incidence of ellagic acid than previously anticipated. Sieved red raspberries from Mayberry Farms in Lynden (Washington) are being used in the study. The raspberries have demonstrated two key findings to date: 1) higher-than-anticipated levels of ellagic acid are present in the berries and, 2) the ellagic acid present in the berries is being absorbed in the body by human clinical subjects. "The assimilation of ellagic acid in the body was the critical first step in this research," notes Dr. Daniel Nixon, lead cancer research specialist at the Hollings Cancer Center. "Now that we know ellagic acid from red raspberries is absorbed in the body the true test of its anti-cancer prowess may be undertaken." Normal and "high risk" cancer subjects are now being administered doses of Washington red raspberries to test the anti-carcinogen powers of their key ellagic acid ingredient. Sieved red raspberries are ground up (seeds and pulp) and fed to subjects. It is expected that these research trials will yield results in the year. Meanwhile, the Washington red raspberry-ellagic acid road to cancer prevention pushes ahead with very good media support. Dr. Nixon recently completed a 10-city trip promoting the merits of nutraceutical foods like red raspberries that contain ellagic acid. A key event was a network televised appearance the week of October 20th on CBS Good Morning where Dr. Nixon espoused the promise of red raspberries and ellagic acid to a national viewing audience...." _________________________________________________________________ Berry FAQs Have a question about growing or processing berries? Do you wonder why berries are so expensive? Not sure about climate, fertilizers, pests, and processing? You're always welcome to write directly to Dr. Razbry, of course, but here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the world of berries and berry-growing that you might want to read first. * Dr. Razbry's own Raspberry FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) * Dr. Razbry's Blueberry FAQ _________________________________________________________________ UNDER CONSTRUCTION: SEVERAL ARTICLES WILL BE ADDED HERE!!! COMING SOON TO THESE PAGES: FTP ARCHIVE OF GROWING AND SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING SEVERAL VARIETIES OF BERRIES. YOU WILL BE ABLE INSTANTLY TO DOWNLOAD ARTICLES USING YOUR WEB BROWSER FROM A MENU OF ARTICLES WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS. BE SURE TO CHECK BACK HERE OCCASIONALLY FOR SEASONAL UPDATES. _________________________________________________________________ [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] dharper@wwfarm.com Whistling Wings Farms E-Mail Address _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 1995 EyeMagic Text and Image For best viewing results, browse these pages with Netscape Navigator _________________________________________________________________