Additional ellagic acid facts Ellagic acid protects human cells against some of the carcinogens occurring in agents such as tobacco smoke, food additives and petroleum-based substances. Ellagic acid also appears to prevent certain substances, which become carcinogenic only after they interact with human cells, from turning harmful. Ellagic acid seems to operate by blocking specific sites or receptors on DNA molecules where carcinogens often attach themselves. Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound with a benzene ring that forms a hydroxyl group that has antioxidant properties to combat free radicals. Lower concentrations of ellagic acid slow the growth of cancer cells.
Higher concentrations tell cancer cells to kill themselves.
How ellagic acid does this is under investigation. A diet of red raspberries may actually arrest proliferation of cancer cells, thus helping to prevent multi-stage spreading of cancer. It keeps normal cells from becoming abnormal or cancerous cells. Tests indicate that ellagic acid from red raspberries is specifically effective on colon, cervical, breast and pancreatic cancer cells. From the Washington Red Raspberry Commission Frozen red raspberries are always available.