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Thanksgiving's favorite food--the cranberry-- may provide one more reason to give thanks: lower risk against cancer. Scientists at Cornell University recently isolated compounds in cranberries with “antiproliferative” effects on human liver and breast cancer cells in lab studies. This means they are able to block the growth of the cancer cells by encouraging apoptosis (cell death) and inducing cell cycle arrest (slows tumor growth, allowing the body to deal with the damage).
Furthermore, scientists from University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth demonstrated similar effects for human lung, colon and leukemia cancer cells in further basic research.
These potential chemo-protective effects are in addition to cranberries' bounty of other nutrient attributes: Out of the 46 fruits and vegetables highlighted on our Superfoods web site, cranberries are among the four featured foods that do double duty.
If we'd created a "Food for your Bladder" category, cranberries might be best in class. The proanthocyanidins in cranberries may help prevent (not treat) urinary tract infections by inhibiting bacteria from adhering to bladder walls. Lab analyses suggest these protective compounds might also help suppress herpes outbreaks--a finding which, if confirmed by clinical trials, would represent a significant advance against one of the most common viral infections.
One of the cranberry's potential anti-cancer compounds--quercetin--may help reduce Alzheimer's risk and alleviate prostatitis (inflammation or infection of the prostate gland). Finally, cranberries might even help promote dental health by hindering bacteria from adhering to tooth enamel (much in the same manner as how raisins' oleanic acid may block cavity-causing bacteria).
For mouth-watering, easy ways to incorporate more cranberries into your diet, try this issue's featured recipe, “Cranberry-Orange Sweet Potatoes,” or sample some recipes previously showcased in past DNNs, such as “Cranberry Pineapple Mold.”
In celebration of our newly published DOLE International Banana Cookbook, this month's Dole Poll asks about your ethnic food preferences and what kinds of recipes you would like to see in the newsletter. Please check in and give us your feedback.