New Research Shows Wild Blueberry Compounds May Fight Off Cancer Cells
Specific Compound Known as Proanthocyanidins May Be Effective in Cancer Prevention By Acting as Inhibitors of the Promotion Stage of Cancer; Proanthocyanidins May also Aid in Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
PORTLAND, ME (PRWEB) December 7, 2004 -- Recently published research findings
concluded that specific compounds in Wild Blueberries called proanthocyanidins
or condensed tannins may be effective inhibitors the promotion stage of cancer (Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,
52:6433-6442, 2004.)
Additionally, the research indicated that the same
compounds might have antiadhesion properties that could play a role in
preventing urinary tract infections.
The study was conducted by Mary Ann
Lila, Ph.D., from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Amy Howell, Ph.D. of Rutgers
Blueberry Cranberry Research Center in New Jersey collaborated on the
antiadhesion work.
“The natural plant compounds in Wild Blueberries may
be powerful allies in the fight against oxidative stress and inflammation which
can lead to cancer, heart disease as well as several other chronic health
problems. While we still need in vivo work to test how much of these compounds
get into the body and how they work, we do know that the potential benefit could
be great,” said Dr. Lila.
According to Dr. Lila, her current research
focused on the effect of proanthocyanidin fractions on human prostate cancer
cells and mice liver cancer cell lines. “The results were very positive, adding
evidence to a growing body of work coming out of our lab investigating Wild
Blueberry fractions and their cancer-fighting properties at all stages –
initiation, promotion and proliferation.”
Urinary Tract Health
“In
terms of antiadhesion, we found the blueberry proanthocyanidins to be very
effective,” said Dr. Howell. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are caused by
bacteria, primarily E. coli, adhering to the walls of the bladder or kidney. In
earlier studies also conducted at Rutgers, blueberries were found to prevent
adhesion of UTI-causing bacteria to bladder cells as a result of the activity of
proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins.
“A half-cup of blueberries every
day may be a preventative measure to consider for preventing urinary tract
infections, but human trials are still necessary to confirm this
activity.”
Nature’s #1 Antioxidant FruitTM
According to Susan
Davis, MS, RD, Nutrition Advisor to the Wild Blueberry Association of North
America, Dr. Lila and Dr. Howell’s work builds on the growing body of evidence
that fruits and vegetables, the more colorful the better, play an important role
in fighting off disease. “Dr. Lila and Dr. Howell are doing groundbreaking
phytochemical research,” said Davis. “We expect over time that on-going Wild
Blueberry research will lead to more exciting discoveries about the power of
antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.”
Davis noted that recent USDA
research findings using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) measure,
ranked Wild Blueberries highest in antioxidant capacity per serving, compared
with more than 20 other fruits. The study showed that a one-cup serving of Wild
Blueberries had more antioxidant capacity than a serving of cranberries,
strawberries, raspberries, apples and prunes. (Source: Journal of Agricultural
and Food Chemistry, 52:4026-4037, 2004.)
Antioxidants are important in
terms of their ability to protect against oxidative cell damage that can lead to
conditions like Alzheimer’s, cancer and heart disease – conditions also linked
with chronic inflammation. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of
blue-purple foods like Wild Blueberries may have the potential to help prevent
these diseases.
WBANA
WBANA is a trade association of growers and
processors of Wild Blueberries from Maine, dedicated to bringing the Wild
Blueberry health story and unique Wild Advantages to consumers
worldwide.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/12/prweb186423.htm