This site is inspired by the work of David Servan-Schreiber and scientific literature on nutrition and cancer prevention. It does not replace medical advice and does not constitute a treatment.

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Strawberries, raspberries & blackberries

Strong evidence

Active compounds

Ellagic acidPolyphenolsAnthocyaninsGlucaric acid (cherries)

Cancers studied in the literature

breastcolonesophagusskin

Anti-cancer actions

  • ✦Ellagic acid (raspberries, strawberries) inhibits cancer cell growth and promotes apoptosis
  • ✦Blocks chemical carcinogens — particularly alkylating agents
  • ✦Glucaric acid in cherries neutralizes carcinogens before they damage DNA
  • ✦Anti-inflammatory — reduces pro-tumor cytokines

How to prepare it

Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries. Eat fresh or frozen (freezing preserves polyphenols). Prefer organic for strawberries and raspberries (highly contaminated by pesticides). Blueberries and lingonberries have their own entry.

Recommended dosage

1 serving (about 100–150g) per day.

⚗️ Food synergies

These foods potentiate the effects of Strawberries, raspberries & blackberries

🍵Green Tea🍫Dark chocolate🫐Blueberries & lingonberries

🍳 Recipes with Strawberries, raspberries & blackberries

🥣Dr. Béliveau's Vegetable Cocktail🥤Morning anticancer smoothie🌅Complete anticancer breakfast🍫Dark chocolate and berry dessert

Scientific sources

  • —Béliveau study on polyphenols in small fruits
  • —Research on ellagic acid from raspberries and pecans

🔬 Studies from Dr. Béliveau's laboratory

All publications →
2018J Funct Foods

Antiproliferative efficacy of elderberries and elderflowers (Sambucus canadensis) on glioma and brain endothelial cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions­

Lamy S, Muhire É, Annabi B.

Study published in J Funct Foods on the activity of berries in the context of brain.

See original publication

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article
2011Cancer Microenvironment 4: 133-139Strong evidence

Colorectal cancer prevention through dietary and lifestyle modifications

Gingras D, Beliveau R

A comprehensive review of colorectal cancer prevention through diet: cruciferous vegetables, berries and green tea act on the tumor microenvironment to prevent progression.

Colorectal prevention by remodeling the tumor microenvironment

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article
2008CarcinogenesisStrong evidence

Delphinidin, a dietary anthocyanidin, inhibits platelet derived growth fator ligand/receptor (PDGF/PDGFR) signaling

Lamy S, Beaulieu E, Labbé D, Bédard V, Moghrabi A, Barrette S, Gingras D, Béliveau R

Delphinidin, an anthocyanidin from berries (blueberries, elderberry), inhibits the PDGF receptor, a key player in tumor growth and angiogenesis.

Inhibition of the PDGF receptor (anti-angiogenesis)

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article
2007Anticancer Research 27(2):937-948.Strong evidence

Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and suppression of TNF-induced activation of NFkB by edible berry juice

Boivin D, Blanchette M, Barrette S, Moghrabi A and Béliveau R

Berry juices (cranberry, raspberry, blackberry) significantly inhibit NF-κB — a key driver of pro-tumor inflammation — in human cancer cells.

NF-κB inhibition, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activity

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article