Mediterranean fruit could revolutionize treatment for debilitating bowel disease

06/12/2025 / By Ava Grace

Research indicates that extract from the fruit of the Mediterranean strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) may significantly reduce colon damage in ulcerative colitis, matching nearly 80 percent of the effectiveness of conventional drugs.
Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causes severe pain, weight loss and nausea. It has no known cure and limited treatment options often carry serious side effects.
The fruit extract works by reducing oxidative stress, restoring protective enzymes and lowering inflammatory proteins, similar to pharmaceutical treatments but potentially without harsh side effects.
While animal studies are promising, experts emphasize the necessity of human clinical trials to confirm safety and efficacy before the extract can be widely adopted.
The Mediterranean diet and other anti-inflammatory foods may offer similar gut health benefits, highlighting the broader value of natural remedies in modern medicine.

A centuries-old Mediterranean fruit may hold the key to alleviating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), one of modern medicine’s most stubborn and painful digestive disorders.

New research suggests that extract from the fruit of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) could offer significant protection against ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide. The findings published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (JSFA) reveal that rats pre-treated with strawberry tree fruit extract showed an 80 percent reduction in colon damage, nearly matching the effectiveness of conventional pharmaceutical treatments.

Native to the Mediterranean and Western Europe, the strawberry tree has been used for centuries to treat ailments ranging from kidney disease to cardiovascular disorders. Its fruit and leaves are rich in antioxidants, antimicrobial compounds and anti-inflammatory agents. These properties intrigued researchers at Tunisia’s University of Jendouba.

The team tested the fruit extract on rats with chemically induced colitis, mimicking human ulcerative colitis. The results were striking: Rats given the highest dose of A. unedo fruit extract showed dramatically less colon damage, reduced inflammation markers and better-preserved intestinal lining compared to untreated animals.

A. unedo has been long used in traditional folk medicine. If further studies confirm these results in humans, this humble berry could provide a natural, side effect-free alternative to harsh medications currently prescribed for IBD. (Related: Tips to reduce your risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease.)

The surprising power of strawberry tree fruit extract

Ulcerative colitis is a relentless condition that inflames the colon and rectum, causing severe abdominal pain, weight loss and persistent nausea. Unlike temporary digestive ailments, IBD is chronic, often requiring lifelong management with drugs that carry their own risks: Peptic ulcers, immune suppression and even Cushing’s syndrome.

While the exact cause remains unknown, genetics, environmental factors and gut microbiome imbalances are believed to play a role. With nearly five million people worldwide suffering from IBD, the search for safer, more effective treatments has never been more urgent.

Based on the study, the strawberry tree fruit extract appears to combat ulcerative colitis through multiple mechanisms:

Reducing oxidative stress — a major contributor to cell damage in inflamed intestines
Restoring protective enzymes that shield the colon from deterioration
Lowering inflammatory proteins in the bloodstream, similar to conventional drugs like sulfasalazine

The study’s finding is significant because it indicates that A. unedo fruit extract may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are key factors in the development of ulcerative colitis. But while promising, experts caution that animal studies don’t always translate to human treatments.

For people seeking relief from ulcerative colitis symptoms, registered dietitian Monique Richard suggests incorporating other known natural anti-inflammatory agents such as omega-3s, probiotics and polyphenol-rich berries to support gut health. The Mediterranean diet, which is already linked to a lower IBD risk, may offer similar protective benefits.

For now, the study stands as a testament to the untapped potential of traditional medicine. In an era of overprescribed pharmaceuticals, nature may hold the answer patients with ulcerative colitis have been searching for.

Watch Dr. Pam Popper sharing encouraging news for IBD patients in this clip.

This video is from the Wellness Forum Health channel on Brighteon.com.