Compound in dark veg may provide bowel cancer protection
Compounds called anthocyanins, which are found in a number of dark-coloured fruits and vegetables, may help to protect against bowel cancer, researchers have said.
New research by an Ohio State University team suggests that extracts from different fruits and vegetables, including purple corn and radish, may be capable of slowing the growth of bowel cancer cells and, in some cases, even destroying cells.
"These foods contain many compounds, and we're just starting to figure out what they are and which ones provide the best health benefits," said Dr Monica Giusti, lead author and assistant professor of food science at the university.
"All fruits and vegetables that are rich in anthocyanins have compounds that can slow down the growth of colon cancer cells, whether in experiments in laboratory dishes or inside the body," she revealed.
The researchers also found that, by making small changes to the structures of molecules, they were able to increase the compounds' potency against cancer cells, suggesting that it may be possible to develop effective anti-cancer agents in the future.
Compounds called anthocyanins, which are found in a number of dark-coloured fruits and vegetables, may help to protect against bowel cancer, researchers have said.
