Home / Health / Miracle Berry Beats Chemo Mouth Taste
Miracle Berry Beats Chemo Mouth Taste
3 Mar
Summary
- A red berry from South Florida alters taste buds.
- It temporarily makes sour and bitter foods taste sweet.
- The fruit helps cancer patients endure chemotherapy.
A unique red berry cultivated in South Florida is providing a significant benefit to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This fruit, scientifically named Synsepalum dulcificum, is commonly referred to as the "miracle fruit" due to its potent effect on taste perception.
Chemotherapy can induce a persistent metallic or unpleasant taste, known as "chemo mouth," which severely impacts a patient's ability to eat. The miracle fruit temporarily resets taste buds for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, transforming sour and bitter flavors into sweet sensations. This makes meals more palatable and assists patients in maintaining adequate nutrition during their treatment.
Cultivated primarily in South Florida's Redland agricultural area, the fruit is delicate and loses potency quickly if not preserved. It is often sold frozen in cubes to maintain its effectiveness. Researchers from institutions like the National Institutes of Health and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have studied its properties, with local hospitals making it available to patients.
For individuals like Julie Ascen, battling MALT lymphoma, the miracle fruit offers more than just improved taste; it provides a renewed sense of control amidst overwhelming treatment side effects. By enabling her to enjoy food again, the berry empowers her to live her life with a greater sense of normalcy and agency.
