A preliminary study has found that raspberries are a powerful weapon against cancer. Researchers found that in tests, raspberry extracts successfully destroyed about 90 percent of stomach, colon, and breast cancer cells.

Raspberries are rich in powerful antioxidants, which are known to be powerful cancer fighters. But this research team believes that some other substance in raspberries is also responsible for their anti-cancer effect.

For their study, the team tested the effects of an extract of Meeker red raspberries, a popular U.S. variety of the fruit. Compared to an ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) solution with more antioxidants, the raspberry extract proved to be eight times more effective, clearly indicating that some other substance is responsible for the destruction of cancer cells.

For breast cancer cells, however, the team found that common antioxidants are about half as effective as raspberries at eliminating cancer cells. But in all cases, the combination of the raspberries' antioxidants and other cancer-fighting substances proved to be the most effective of any other substance tested.

Unfortunately, experts believe the anti-cancer effect is seen only when the extract is applied directly to the diseased cells, and not when the fruit is eaten. However, raspberries are an amazing superfood and eating fresh raspberries also provides some unique health benefits.

Raspberries Are a Superfood

Raspberries are packed with powerful antioxidants, which help to fight off infections, protect against cancer and promote overall health in the long term. They possess almost 50% higher antioxidant activity than strawberries, three times that of kiwi fruit, and ten times the antioxidant activity of tomatoes, according to research conducted in the Netherlands.

Raspberries are one of the top fruit sources of fiber, and also contain phosphorus and selenium, and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Like other berries, they are high in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that give the raspberry its vivid color and help the body produce cells to fight off unwanted invaders.

Freezing and processing raspberries into preserves destroys much of the Vitamin C, but fortunately most of the other antioxidants remain.

Raspberries are delicious added to smoothies, yoghurt, or on pancakes, or just eaten on their own.

Research Paper Details:

God J, Tate PL, Larcom LL. Red raspberries have antioxidant effects that play a minor role in the killing of stomach and colon cancer cells. Nutr Res. 2010 Nov;30(11):777-82.