Blueberries may have cancer-fighting properties

As if one needed any more reason to get a daily serving of tart, juicy blueberries other than their flavor, researchers have found that the fruit may have properties that may prevent the development of aggressive cancer.

In a study published in the journal Food Nutrition and Science, researchers revealed that eating the equivalent of two cups of blueberries daily helped suppress the metastasis of breast cancer and even appeared to reduce the size of tumors by 60 percent to 75 percent.

“‘Superfood’ blueberries are known for being rich in flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, and these phytochemicals may affect cell growth and fight free radicals with their antioxidant properties,” said Phil Lempert, founder of Food Nutrition & Science.

According to Self magazine, a 148-gram serving of blueberries contains just 84 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Additionally, people can obtain about one quarter of their daily recommended value of vitamin C from the fruit, as well as significant doses of vitamin K and manganese.

Authors of the study noted that there are currently few treatment options available for triple-negative breast cancer. Perhaps foods with cancer-fighting properties could be part of the process.