Blueberries May Protect Against Colon Cancer

A recent animal study shows that a novel component in blueberries called pterostilbene reduced colon cancer by 57%.  Pterostilbene is also known to specifically enhance the metabolism of cholesterol and triglycerides, thus promoting health in a variety of different ways.  Eating blueberries is a great way to get pterostilbene, though not all blueberries contain the same amount.  If taking a dietary supplement, looking for blueberry extracts with a standardized pterostilbene amount.

The study results were quite exciting and underscore the need to include more berries in the diet, especially blueberries, says study leader Bandaru Reddy, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Chemical Biology at Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Although the blueberry compound won’t cure colon cancer, it represents a potential new and attractive strategy for preventing the disease naturally, says Reddy, a leading expert on nutritional factors that influence colon cancer development.