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Berry Good Proposition: Black Raspberries May Fight Oral Cancer
from Dr. Catharine Goodson!
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).
If you have any questions about dental health, please don't hesitate to call
our office at (281)332-6964 or email us at
dr.goodson@clearcreekdentalcare.com
today.
Best Regards,
Dr. Catharine Goodson
P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our
services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take
good care of them.
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