Cranberry's Cancer-Fighting Clout

Scientists from Rutgers University are reporting that a chemical derivative found in cranberry juice may assist in treatment of ovarian tumors that don't respond to traditional medicine. With ovarian cancer being the fifth leading cause of death among women in the United States, these findings are significant. The medical field is just starting to understand the benefits of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables and their positive effects on heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Besides cranberries, preliminary clinical trials are finding that other various berries such as blueberries and black raspberries, may also be cancer fighters, "shrinking tumors and even staving off cancer recurrence in some patients." Although there's no single magic cancer food, scientists are continually researching the connection between produce and their cancer-protecting properties. Studies are still in their infancy but seem to suggest that the best way to prevent some cancers is to include a diet rich in fruit and vegetables at an early age that may protect an individual against cancer years later.

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