Goldenberries: The Tiny Superfruit With Big Anti-Cancer Potential
- Whitney Gregory
- Mar 30
- 2 min read
Goldenberries, also known as Physalis peruviana, Incan berries, or Cape gooseberries, are gaining attention not only for their sweet-tart flavor and golden hue but also for their impressive health benefits—especially when it comes to cancer prevention and treatment.
What Makes Goldenberries So Powerful?
These small berries are packed with bioactive compounds like withanolides, polyphenols, and carotenoids—natural plant chemicals known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.
Anti-Cancer Properties Backed by Science
Several studies have investigated the anti-cancer potential of goldenberries:
Withanolides Inhibit Tumor Growth Withanolides, a group of naturally occurring steroids found in goldenberries, have demonstrated anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. A study published in Cancer Letters found that withanolide E from Physalis peruviana induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells, inhibiting tumor growth (Chen et al., 2011).
Oxidative Stress Reduction and Cell Protection Goldenberries are rich in polyphenolic compounds and vitamin C, which scavenge free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a known contributor to DNA damage and cancer development. According to a 2015 study in Food Chemistry, the antioxidant capacity of goldenberries may help reduce the risk of several types of cancers (El-Massry et al., 2015).
Anti-Proliferative Activity in Colon and Breast Cancer Cells Research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (2017) showed that Physalis peruviana extract inhibited the growth of colon and breast cancer cells in vitro, suggesting its use as a potential complementary treatment (Wu et al., 2017).
Immunomodulatory Effects: A 2020 study in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies demonstrated that goldenberry extract modulated immune responses and had cytotoxic effects on leukemia cell lines, further supporting its therapeutic promise in cancer treatment (Morshedloo et al., 2020).
How to Incorporate Goldenberries Into Your Diet
Goldenberries are available dried, fresh, or in powder form. Toss them into salads, blend them into smoothies, or enjoy them as a sweet-and-sour snack. As with any health food, moderation is key—and goldenberries should complement, not replace, medical treatment for cancer.
Citations:
Chen, L. C., et al. (2011). "Withanolide E from Physalis peruviana induces apoptosis and inhibits growth of human lung cancer cells." Cancer Letters, 309(2), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2011.05.031
El-Massry, K. F., et al. (2015). "Antioxidant and anticancer activities of goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.)." Food Chemistry, 168, 117–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.06.065
Wu, S. J., et al. (2017). "Anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities of Physalis peruviana on human breast and colon cancer cells." Journal of Medicinal Food, 20(10), 990–998. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2016.0152
Morshedloo, M. R., et al. (2020). "Immunomodulatory and cytotoxic effects of Physalis peruviana extract on leukemia cells." BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02914-0
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