Blueberries Fight Cancer (And How to Maximize Their Power)

Need another reason to enjoy sweet, succulent berries?How about warding off colon cancer.

Blueberries Fight Cancer: 57% Less Pre-Cancerous Growths

New research shows that pterostilbene –a compound found in blueberries—may be promising in the prevention of colon cancer.

Researchers at Rutgers and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) teamed up to investigate pterostilbene’s cancer-fighting effects. In the study, rats were given azoxymethane—a compound that causes colon cancer. Half of the animals were then placed on a balanced daily diet, while the other animals were given the same diet supplemented with pterostilbene.

At the end of the eight-week study period, the rats that were given pterostilbene showed 57% fewer pre-cancerous lesions in their colon than those in the control group.

Blueberries: Getting The Most

Make delicious, antioxidant-rich organic blueberries a mainstay in your diet. Because they are one of the crops most heavily contaminated with pesticides (called The Dirty Dozen), always be sure to buy organic. A great way to keep them on hand is to buy them frozen. Whirl into smoothies or just thaw and enjoy for a cancer-fighting treat.

Learn more about colon cancer and diet: