Black Raspberries May Fight Oral Cancer

A Berry Good Proposition: Black Raspberries May Fight Oral Cancer

In the mood for something sweet? Consider a handful of black raspberries!

 

Researchers at Ohio State's James Cancer Hospital have shown that black raspberries may not only help prevent colon and esophageal cancer, but help battle oral cancer as well.

 

Lab tests show that this delicious fruit reduced tumors on the mouth by up to 44 percent.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems...

First off, black raspberries are very difficult to come by in your regular grocery story,

even when in season. Having access to them year-round could be quite a task .Second,

studies show you would have to eat about 4 whole cups a day to enjoy the full health

benefits. Very few of us actually eat the recommended 5 servings a day of fruit. Finding

the time, and stomach, to eat 4 cups of raspberries could be difficult, no matter how

delicious they are.

Fortunately, scientists are working on a solution: lozenges. They hope that

concentrating the cancer-fighting chemicals in black raspberries into more manageable

lozenges will prove to be as successful in the fight against oral cancer as eating the

whole fruit (though nutritionists will tell you the whole fruit is always better for you). If

researchers find that certain genes respond to the berry extract in them, it could

someday mean a simple new way to fight cancer. They would also be available year -

round.

It should be noted that fruit is part of a healthy diet, and therefore good for your teeth.

Highly acidic fruits, like lemons, can actually harm tooth enamel, however, so try to rinse

your mouth out with warm water or brush your teeth after you eat them. Also, stay away

from high-sugar snacks, like candy and soda (and yes, even black raspberry cobbler).

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!