New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents found in concentrated black raspberries could more effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at shutting down a particular gene.
Researchers examined the effect of freeze-dried black raspberries on genes altered by a chemical carcinogen in an animal model of esophageal cancer. The carcinogen affected the activity of 2,200 genes in the animals’ esophagus in only one week. However, 460 of those genes were restored to normal activity in animals that consumed freeze-dried black raspberry powder.
Black raspberries contain many vitamins, minerals, phenols and phytosterols, which are known to individually prevent cancer in animals.
Sources:
Science Blog August 28, 2008
Cancer Research August 1, 2008, 68, 6460-6467