South Florida 'miracle fruit' helps cancer patients manage chemo taste changes.

A small red berry grown in South Florida, Synsepalum dulcificum, can temporarily alter taste buds for about 30 to 40 minutes. Researchers and some cancer centers have studied or made the fruit available to patients experiencing chemotherapy-related taste changes.

A small red berry grown near Miami is being used by some cancer patients to cope with taste changes tied to chemotherapy. The fruit, known as Synsepalum dulcificum and often called the "miracle fruit," alters taste perception for a short period. Patients and clinicians describe that sour and bitter flavors can taste sweet during that window, which some say makes eating easier. Local hospitals and research centers have looked at the fruit and made it available to patients in some cases. What is known: - The fruit is Synsepalum dulcificum, commonly called the miracle fruit, and is cultivated in South Florida's Redland area. - The berry's effect on taste is reported to last about 30 to 40 minutes after eating it. - Researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have studied its properties, and local centers such as Mount Sinai Medical Center and Miami Cancer Institute offer access for patients. - Some patients undergoing chemotherapy report the fruit helps make food more palatable and supports meal intake during treatment. Summary: The fruit is reported to provide a temporary shift in taste that some patients say improves their ability to eat during chemotherapy, and a few hospitals and research groups have examined or provided it. Undetermined at this time.