Ellagic acid is a dimeric derivative of gallic acid also known as hexahydroxydiphenic acid, which spontaneously forms a dilactone.
It is the lactone form that is commonly known as ellagic acid.
This acid is already present in most ellagitannin-rich foods and is also produced during food processing and storage.
Ellagitannin present as the structural components of the plant cell wall and cell membrane.
Ellagic acid and its derivative have limited distribution.
They are first seen at high concentrations in the strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, blackberries and grapes.
Other sources of ellagic acid include walnuts, pecans and distilled beverages.
Recent studies indicated that ellagic acid possesses anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in bacterial and mammalian systems.
Ellagic acid has been shown in research and laboratory models to inhibit the growth of tumors caused by certain carcinogens. It causes apoptosis of cancer cells in the lab, within no change to healthy, normal cells.
Health benefits of ellagic acid
