Cancer Cells Destroyed in Acai Study

One of the first of its kind, the University of Florida published a study in their Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that shows the Brazilian acai berry contains antioxidants that destroyed cultured human cancer cells.

An impressive result was found when extracts from the acai berry went up against cancer cells and showed an 86 percent success rate in a self destruct response.

Stephen Talcott, an assistant professor with UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences cautioned that the intention of the acai study was not to see if the berry would prevent leukemia in people but that they were encouraged by the findings.

Other fruits containing antioxidants have also shown favorable results killing cancer cells in studies using cell-culture models but it seems unclear to the experts what affect the antioxidant fruits may truly have in the human body. Apparently another UF acai berry study is scheduled for 2006 and will utilize healthy human bodies in a look at acai antioxidants and their effects.

With regards to the current results 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." With reference to a lot of new acai products coming on the market Talcott said "A lot of claims are being made, but most of them haven't been tested scientifically. We are just beginning to understand the complexity of the acai berry and its health-promoting effects."

Details of the study released:

• In the current UF study, six different chemical extracts were made from acai fruit pulp, and each extract was prepared in seven concentrations.
• Four of the extracts were shown to kill significant numbers of leukemia cells when applied for 24 hours. Depending on the extract and concentration, anywhere from about 35 percent to 86 percent of the cells died

Source: news.ufl.edu

Read follow up report on this subject - More Acai Research Following Cancer Related Study