Ellagic acid is a phytochemical (or disease-fighting plant chemical) that falls under the phenol classification, and offers powerful anti-cancer benefits according to the American Cancer Society. It acts as an antioxidant, enhancing immune function and protecting body cells from damage by free radicals, or highly reactive oxygen particles that come from the environment and pollution, possibly inhibiting DNA mutations in cells that cause abnormal growth. Ellagic acid is found in plant foods, especially red fruits and some nuts (specifically 46 different varieties of fruits and nuts).
Ellagic Acid and Cancer Protection
Ellagic acid can inhibit tumor growth in cancer of the skin, esophagus, lung and colon but it may be best known for offering protective benefits against breast and prostate cancer. In laboratory studies, ellagic acid reduces the effect of estrogen on promoting the growth of cancerous cells in breast tissue. Recent findings by the American Cancer Society also show that pomegranate juice significantly slows or even halts the increase of blood levels of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, which is the marker used to test for prostate cancer as well as measuring the growth of prostate cancer. Protection was observed at a dose of 8 oz. of pomegranate juice a day.
Fruits and Nuts
The richest food source of ellagic acid is the red raspberry. Other fruits considered to be excellent sources of ellagic acid are strawberries, cranberries, grapes, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, pomegranates and pomegranate juice. Apples also offer some ellagic acid. Other plant sources of ellagic acid include nuts. Varieties that offer appreciable amounts of ellagic acid include walnuts and pecans.
Extracts and Bioavailability
When fruits are freeze dried, they may be even more concentrated in ellagic acid. This is why extracts from berry seeds or leaves, such as those of the red raspberry or pomegranate fruit, are often used for making ellagic acid dietary supplements (in powder or liquid form). Capsules of fruit extracts (concentrated in ellagic acid) are available for purchase. Interestingly, however, the ellagic acid in fruits is so potent that it doesn't matter if the fruit is fresh, baked, canned or dehydrated, the ellagic acid in fruits can withstand processing.
References
- Journal of Food Biochemistry; Biological Function of Ellagic Acid: A Review; DA Vattem and K Shetty; 2005
- Clinical Cancer Research; Phase II Study of Pomegranate Juice for Men With Rising Prostate-specific Antigen Following Surgery or Radiation for Prostate Cancer; AJ Pantuck, JT Leppert, N Zomorodian, et al.; 2006
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; Evaluation of Estrogenic/Antiestrogenic Activity of Ellagic Acid Via the Estrogen Receptor Subtypes ERalpha and ERbeta; Z Papoutsi, E Kassi, A Tsiapara, et al.; 2005
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