Strawberries fight oral cancer

The “super” berry secret to a healthy mouth

Cigarette ads have portrayed smoking as an act of freedom and rugged independence for decades… both for the ladies and the aspiring Marlboro Men.

“You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!”

But if you’re a smoker… or have been one in the past… you might feel like you’ve become the “butt” of a cruel joke when it comes to your health.

People don’t call cigarettes “cancer sticks” for nothing — 80 percent of all oral cancer cases and 90 percent of all lung cancer cases are related to lighting up.

So much for “freedom” and “independence”!

But a new study shows that a smoking habit doesn’t necessarily seal your fate — at least in the oral cancer department — because you can slash your risk of developing oral cancer by noshing on something sweet, juicy, and delicious.

Researchers at Ohio State University have found that regularly eating strawberries can make changes in your mouth that may inhibit the development of oral cancer.

In the study, the scientists managed to pack the nutritional equivalent of two and half cups of real strawberries into one small candy. Both smokers and non-smokers ate either the strawberry candy or a placebo four times a day for one week, while avoiding any other red or purple fruits or veggies that could interfere with the results.

By the end of the study, the researchers found significant changes in the mouths of smokers who ate the strawberry candy, compared to smokers who ate the placebo.

Nutrients from strawberries altered the composition of mouth bacteria and the expression of certain genes — both of which may play a role in cancer’s development.

Strawberries owe their disease-fighting potential to their storehouse of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and ellagitannins — all compounds that have shown anti-cancer activity in previous studies as well.

The berries are also packed with vitamin C, B vitamins, fiber, folate, and potassium, and studies show they can cut your risk of heart attack and stroke.

The antioxidants in strawberries appear to help prevent lung cancer, as well.

The study’s results have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, so count me as “cautiously optimistic.”

It’s promising evidence that if you want to avoid oral cancer, go gangbusters for some succulent strawberries — or, better yet, trade that cigarette in your mouth for the bite-sized fruit.

Now, that doesn’t mean you should start sucking on a strawberry-flavored hard candy. It won’t contain one iota of the nutrients found in real strawberries.

Instead, go for fresh strawberries which will soon reach their peak season in June. They’re great by themselves, or you can add sliced strawberries to a spinach salad or Greek yogurt. Frozen strawberries — fantastic in smoothies — will also do the trick.

Just remember to only buy organic strawberries, no matter how big and beautiful the other ones may look in the produce aisle. As I shared with you earlier this week, strawberries are the most likely of any fruit or vegetable to contain residue from multiple pesticides — even after you wash them.