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Investigators from Hong Kong University published a study in the ‘Journal of Cancer Research’ on the effects of blackberries, papaya, and blueberries, and their effects on possibly reducing the danger of oral cancer development. Lupeol, a triterpene compound, found in these fruits have been shown to inhibit NFkB, a protein that helps with growth of cells. In this study, lupeol was shown to suppress the spread of cancer and reduce tumour size 3 times more rapidly than a platinum-based chemotherapy drug (known as cisplatin). Lupeol also did not cause the weight loss normally seen with chemotherapy. Dr. Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said that it is already known that a diet containing five or more servings of fruits and vegetables may reduce oral cancer risk; however the fact that certain fruits can fight oral cancer in patients that already have it is great news. More research is required on lupeol’s ability to fight oral cancer more effectively than the drugs currently being used. In the U.K., one person dies of oral cancer every 5 hours, and in the U.S. the rate is one person every hour. That is over 8,000 deaths a year from oral cancer.