Cancer-Fighting Holiday Treat without Added Sugar
Cranberry sauces are a common sight on many tables during the holiday season, starting from Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s. While these sugary concoctions may not be a cure for cancer, cranberries without added sugar can offer health benefits. The tart red berries are worth incorporating into your diet year-round.
These berries contain natural sugars that have shown potential to starve cancer cells in laboratory tests. Here is the story...
In addition to the natural sugars in cranberries, these fruits also contain other natural compounds that can induce cancer cells to self-destruct through a process known as apoptosis. Like many other foods, cranberries can be considered a natural remedy.
Overview
When we talk about “sugar,” most people think of sucrose (table sugar) or fructose (found in fruits, some vegetables, and many processed foods as a sweetener). These sugars are converted by the body into glucose, which is blood sugar.
However, mannose is a different type of sugar. It is a sugar variant present in cranberries, as well as in various other foods like broccoli, cabbage, kelp, and shiitake mushrooms. Mannose exhibits a range of interesting characteristics when studied closely.
According to researchers at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, “Mannose is a simple sugar with a complex life.”1
A significant fact about mannose and cancer is that studies in England have shown that it can slow tumor growth and potentially serve as a valuable cancer treatment.
Its effectiveness lies in the fact that cancer cells have a high demand for sugar, particularly glucose, to fuel their growth. Mannose can disrupt this process and limit cancer cells’ access to the abundant glucose they require.
Researcher Kevin Ryan explains, “Tumors require significant glucose to grow, so reducing the amount available to them should impede cancer progression. The challenge is that normal tissues also need glucose, so completely removing it from the body is not an option. In our study, we identified a mannose dosage that could restrict enough glucose to slow tumor growth in mice without adversely affecting normal tissues.”
Not a Universal Cure or “Magic Bullet”
Although not all tumor types responded to mannose in laboratory tests, researchers believe that cancer cells may resist its anticancer effects if they possess an enzyme capable of breaking down mannose. However, experiments have shown that mannose was effective against skin cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic tumor cells.
Dr. Ryan mentions, “Our next step is to investigate why treatment is effective in certain cells to determine which patients might benefit most from this approach. We aim to initiate clinical trials with mannose in humans as soon as possible to assess its true potential as a novel cancer therapy.”
However, researchers caution that while mannose taken as a medication or supplement can be beneficial for certain metabolic conditions and may aid in combating cancer and urinary tract problems, it could pose challenges for individuals with diabetes by complicating blood sugar control.
That said, consuming mannose through cranberries is entirely safe. No one has ever fallen ill from eating cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, and research indicates that consuming cranberries can enhance blood sugar management in individuals with diabetes.2
Supplementing with mannose is also safe for those with healthy blood sugar levels.
Fighting Oxidative Stress
Another notable attribute of cranberries is their ability to reduce oxidative stress in the body. This antioxidant property may serve as a defense against cancer.
Oxidative stress results from the accumulation of free radicals in the body – reactive substances that can cause damage to cell membranes and disrupt cellular functions. While oxidative stress is a natural byproduct of cellular activities converting food into energy, environmental toxins, pollution, and other factors can elevate free radical levels to harmful levels.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston suggest that the initiation of tumors and the spread of cancer cells are often linked to oxidative stress, where free radicals induce DNA damage.
Studies analyzing cranberries have revealed that they contain a potent mix of antioxidant phytochemicals (plant compounds) capable of neutralizing free radicals.
Scientists propose that cranberry compounds not only directly neutralize free radicals but also provide epigenetic benefits by activating genes that enhance the body’s production of antioxidant enzymes.4
Moreover, cranberries have been found to calm immune cells, which can trigger inflammation – a common underlying factor in various diseases, including cancer. Inflammation occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.5
Additional research on cranberries indicates that they can:
- Inhibit the growth of prostate cancer by interfering with the reproduction of prostate cancer cells.6
- Induce self-destruction in esophageal cancer cells.7
- Slow the progression of rectal and colon cancer by inhibiting cancer-related enzymes.8
Furthermore, as I delve deeper into cranberry research, I become increasingly impressed by their health benefits.
For instance, European studies suggest that compounds in cranberries can safeguard oral health by protecting against gum disease. Cranberry juice has been shown to prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to gum tissue, thereby reducing the risk of gingivitis, plaque formation, cavities, and overall body inflammation.9
Researchers also propose that individuals with type 2 diabetes may benefit from consuming cranberries or cranberry extracts, particularly when combined with omega-3 fatty acids in their dietary regimen. Diabetics are prone to severe periodontal issues, and a study demonstrated that pairing cranberries with omega-3s significantly improved gum health and helped normalize blood sugar levels.10
One final piece of advice – if you opt for cranberry juice, steer clear of varieties sweetened with high fructose corn syrup or cane sugar. If you find unsweetened cranberry juice too tart, consider sweetening it yourself by mixing it with apple juice or another sweetened juice.