Benefits of Black Berries in Barrett Esophagus, Heart Burn and Digestive Upset

Role of BlackBerries in the Treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus, Heart Burn and Digestive Upset

Barrett’s oesophagus possesses a major risk of progressing to deadly oesophagal cancer. In case of a patient of Barrett’s oesophagus, there is a 30% risk of getting oesophagal cancer after 10 years. The major cause of Barrett’s oesophagus is the reflux of stomach acid back to the oesophagus which converts the innermost lining of the lower oesophagal portion to an abnormal type. This abnormal type can convert to cancerous tissue more easily as compared to the normal type.
Eating bad quality and unhealthy food is one of the major causes of GERD (Gastro-esophageal reflux disease). Eating right is a key to get rid of bad gastric acid reflux. But if you have already got Barrett's oesophagus then every effort should be made to halt its progress to oesophagal cancer.
Fruits and vegetables protect against many cancers. It has also been proved through scientific research studies. New researches concluded that black raspberries, broccoli and some other vegetables potentially protects against Esophageal and also bladder cancer.
Researchers from Ohio State University presented their study at AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Conference held in 2007 in which they suggested that black raspberries have the potential to protect against oesophagal cancer. They specially studied this property of black raspberries in patients of Barrett’s oesophagus. Barrett’s oesophagus is a precancerous condition and black raspberries significantly reduce its progression to oesophagal cancer. In their hypothesis, they said that reflux of stomach acid and bile increase the rate of oxidative damage on the oesophagal epithelium. Oxidative damage can be protected by taking antioxidants and other potentially protective substances such as minerals, vitamins and other phytochemicals. Excessive Oxidative Stress is one of the causes of cancer. The research team took a group of Barrett oesophagus patients and they gave then 30-45 grams of black raspberries every day. They continued giving them black raspberries for the period of six months. After six months they noticed a significant reduction in the level of oxidative stress markers in their blood urine and tissue samples. Cancer protecting effect of black raspberries had already been studied on animal models and it showed a great reduction in the incidence of colon, oral and oesophagal cancer in them.
Black raspberries contain many useful nutrients. They are full of antioxidants (for example vitamin C, Polyphenols), they contain good vitamins such as Vitamin B2, B5, B6 and B9. Moreover, they also contain magnesium, vitamin K and Omega 3 fatty acids. Taking Vitamin B complex is also recommended in Barrett's oesophagus. Blackberries are rich in these essential vitamins. The powerful antioxidants present in black raspberries are the reason why they should be used by the patients of Barrett's oesophagus.