An Apple Peel a Day Could Keep Cancer at Bay
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(NaturalNews) An apple peel a day might help keep
cancer at bay, according to Rui Hai Liu, Cornell associate professor of food
science, who has identified a dozen compounds -- triterpenoids -- in apple peel
that either inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures. Three of the
compounds have not previously been described in the literature.
"We found that several compounds have potent anti-proliferative activities
against human liver, colon and breast cancer cells and may be partially
responsible for the anti-cancer activities of whole apples,"
says Liu, who is affiliated with Cornell's Institute of Comparative and
Environmental Toxicology and is senior author of the study, which is online and
published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
In previous Cornell studies, apples had been found not only to fight cancer
cells in the laboratory but also to reduce the number and size of mammary
tumors in rats. The Cornell researchers now think that the triterpenoids may be
doing much of the anti-cancer work.
"Some compounds were more potent and acted differently against the various cancer
cell lines, but they all show very potent anti-cancer activities and should be
studied further," says Liu.
With co-author Xiangjiu He, a Cornell postdoctoral researcher, Liu analyzed the
peel from 230 pounds of red delicious apples from the Cornell Orchard and
isolated their individual compounds. After identifying the structures of the
promising compounds in the peel, the researchers tested the pure compounds
against cancer cell growth in the laboratory. In the past, Liu has also
identified compounds called phytochemicals -- mainly flavonoids
and phenolic acids -- in apples and other foods that appear to have anti-cancer
properties as well, including inhibiting tumor growth in human breast
cancer cells.
"We believe that a recommendation for consumers to eat five to twelve
servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily is appropriate to
reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, and to meet nutrient
requirements for optimum health," said Liu.
The study online: ((http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cg...)
Newswise: ((http://www.newswise.com:80/articles/vie...)
Additional recent researches have shown that eating apples are linked to
reducing cancer risk in several studies. Some examples are:
* Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in apples has been found to help prevent the
growth of prostate cancer cells.
* Phytonutrients in the skin of apples inhibited the growth of colon cancer
cells by 43% .
* Food containing flavonoids like those in apples may reduce risk of lung cancer
as much as 50% .
* Dietary phenolics such as flavonoids (found in apples) have inhibitory effects
on the developments of carcinogenic substances in the bladder, thereby reducing
risk of bladder cancer, especially in smokers.
Also, eating apples could improve lung function and reduce the risk of
respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to
antioxidants present in apples that would counter the oxygen's damaging effects
on the body as well as the flavonoids such as catechins (present in apples and
tea).
In addition, studies have shown that a diet rich in apples could help to lower
the blood cholesterol level. Pectin, a soluble fiber found in apples has been
thought to play a significant role in this. In fact, apple juice has been found
to inhibit the oxidation of a harmful form of cholesterol (LDL, or low-density
lipoprotein).
Besides therapeutic benefits, apples are also found to play a role in inhibiting
ageing-related problems, preventing wrinkles and promoting hair growth (due to a
compound named procyanidin B-2).
For those weight-watchers, this is good news as apples are a delicious source of
dietary fiber and helps to aid digestion and promote weight loss.
My recommendation is that if you are going to eat apple peels, make sure your
apples are organic.
Additional Reference:
Apples & Health ((http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects20...)
Leslee Dru Browning is a 6th generation Medical
Herbalist & Nutritionist from the ancestral line of Patty Bartlett Sessions;
Pioneer Mid-Wife & Herbalist. Leslee practiced Medical Herbalism and
Nutritional Healing for over 25 years and specialized in Cancer Wellness along
with Chronic Illness. She now devotes her career to teaching people, through her
writing, about Natural Healing from An Herbal Perspective.
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