Published today in the Journal of Agricultural
and Food Chemistry, filed under Research, Health, Sciences, Agriculture on
Thursday, January 12, 2006.GAINESVILLE, Fla
University of Florida study shows Brazilian berry destroys
cancer cells in lab.
The study
showed extracts from acai (ah-SAH’-ee) berries triggered a self-destruct
response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested, said Stephen Talcott, an
assistant professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
“Acai berries are already considered one of the richest fruit sources of
antioxidants,” Talcott said. “This study was an important step toward learning
what people may gain from using beverages, dietary supplements or other products
made with the berries.”
“This was only a cell-culture model and we don’t want to give anyone false
hope,” Talcott said. “We are encouraged by the findings, however. Compounds that
show good activity against cancer cells in a model system are most likely to
have beneficial effects in our bodies.”
Other fruits, including grapes, guavas and mangoes, contain antioxidants shown
to kill cancer cells in similar studies, he said. Experts are uncertain how much
effect antioxidants have on cancer cells in the human body, because factors such
as nutrient absorption, metabolism and the influence of other biochemical
processes may influence the antioxidants’ chemical activity.
Talcott said UF is one of the first institutions outside Brazil with personnel
studying acai berries. Besides Talcott, UF’s acai research team includes Susan
Percival, a professor with the food science and human nutrition department,
David Del Pozo-Insfran, a doctoral student with the department and Susanne
Mertens-Talcott, a postdoctoral associate with the pharmaceutics department of
UF’s College of Pharmacy.
Historically, Brazilians have used acai berries to treat digestive disorders and
skin conditions, he said. Current marketing efforts by retail merchants and
Internet businesses suggest acai products can help consumers lose weight, lower
cholesterol and gain energy.
The UF study demonstrates that research on foods not commonly consumed in the
United States is important, because it may lead to unexpected discoveries, said
Joshua Bomser, an assistant professor of molecular nutrition and functional
foods at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Other research indicates that Consuming Acai May Extend Our Life as well as
improving:
