In addition to being delicious, black raspberries may be even healthier than we thought. Recent research conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago strongly suggests that these berries are highly effective in preventing colorectal tumors, which lead to colon cancer.
In the study two types of genetically flawed mice were investigated. One type had a genetic deficiency which caused the development of intestinal tumors. The other type’s deficiency caused the development of colitis (an inflammation of the large intestine that contributes to development of colorectal cancer). Many of the mice were fed a diet that included freeze-dried black raspberry powder for 12 weeks.
The study was based on previous research which found black raspberries to possess strong antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers found that those mice whose diets included black raspberries experienced a wide range of protective benefits for their intestines, rectums and colons. Black raspberries were also found to inhibit tumor development.
In one type of mouse, the incidence of tumors was reduced by 45 percent and the number of tumors was reduced by 60 percent due to black raspberry ingestion. Also a protein which led to the formation of tumors was found to be suppressed by black raspberries. In the other type of mouse, both tumor incidence and the number of tumors were reduced by 50 percent and chronic inflammation associated with colitis was also reduced due to black raspberry ingestion.
The lead researcher of the study said he hopes to begin clinical trials with humans because not only were black raspberries found to prevent colon cancer in mice, but inflammation as well. This means that black raspberries could have the potential to protect against heart disease and other diseases too.
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