How to Compare the Ellagic Acid Content of Pomegranate & Raspberries

Ellagic acid is an important part of alternative cancer treatments. It is believed that ellagic acid slows tumor growth, kills existing cancer cells and prevents cancer from forming. Ellagic acid is found in 46 varieties of fruits and nuts but is also available in supplement form.

Ellagic Acid Content in Raspberries

• To compare the ellagic acid content in pomegranates and raspberries, it is necessary to know the approximate concentration of ellagic acid in these fruits.

  Black raspberries have 5.37 mg of ellagic acid per gram of whole fruit. This works out to about one half of one percent.

  Different varieties of red raspberries have varying levels of ellagic acid, but most are between 3mg and 4mg of ellagic acid per gram of whole fruit, or between a third and two-fifths of one percent.

  Seeds have a higher level of ellagic acid by weight.

  Raspberries are considered "high" carriers of ellagic acid compared to strawberries and blueberries, which are medium and low, respectively.

Ellagic Acid Content in Pomegranate

• Pomegranates contain just under 15 percent ellagic acid content per fruit, making it as high or higher than raspberries. There are many pomegranate supplements claiming upwards of 40 percent ellagic acid, but these levels do not occur naturally and are added, making them less reliable.

Which to choose?

• Both fruits are high in ellagic acid and very nutritious. Both fruits can be a valuable part of an anti-cancer diet.