Ellagic acid is a tannin, which is a naturally occurring compound found in walnuts and a variety of fruits. You may be familiar with tannin being used to describe the complexity of a red wine. Though ellagic acid is found in many antioxidant fruits, it is not a medically accepted component in cancer treatment. The staff of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center warn the anti-cancer properties of ellagic acid have been suggested in laboratory animal studies but not confirmed in human subjects.
Raspberries and Strawberries
Raspberries and strawberries are two of several food sources with high concentrations of ellagic acid. Extracts made from the leaves and seeds of the red raspberry plant contain high amounts of ellagic acid. You can get these dietary supplements in capsule, powder or liquid form. The best dose of ellagic acid supplements is not known. Eating berries and other natural sources is safer. The human body readily absorbs ellagic aid found in raspberries and strawberries. The ellagitannins found in the berries are changed in the intestine to ellagic acid. Ellagic acid was found to cause cell death in cancer cells in laboratory studies. It may help the liver detoxify some cancer-causing substances from blood. The staff of the American Cancer Society warns that raspberry leaf preparations may induce labor and should not be used during pregnancy.
Pomegranates
The pomegranate is another natural source of ellagic acid. This fruit, native to Iran and India, is now cultivated in California and Arizona. It is growing in popularity because of its antioxidant, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. Pomegranates are rich in minerals, like iron, calcium and potassium. In addition to ellagic acid, pomegranates contain folic acid and vitamins A, C and E. Pomegranate rind, which is a by-product of the juice process, contains ellagitannins. Pomegranate rind extract in the ingredient in supplements that promise cancer prevention and relief from chronic inflammation.
Walnuts
Walnuts are recognized as good sources of protein, dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Eating walnuts is another natural way of getting ellagic acid in your diet. As part of a well-balanced healthy diet, moderate consumption of walnuts provide manganese, copper, phosphorus and magnesium.
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