An Apple A Day Could Keep The Doctor Away

AN APPLE A DAY COULD KEEP COLON CANCERS AWAY

New research suggests that eating apples could reduce the risk of colon cancer. Researchers from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research studied the health benefits of several antioxidants derived from apples by exposing cancer cells to them. Researchers then tested the cells to determine if the antioxidant reduced tumor growth.

Researchers injected rats with a substance known to trigger colon cancer. Rats fed a liquid containing antioxidants derived from apples had 50% fewer cancerous lesions in the colon after six weeks than rats fed a regular diet. Procyanidins, the antioxidant in apples, were found to halt cancer growth. Procyanidins are found in apple skins.

Antioxidants appear to be cancer-fighting agents because they keep free radicals from damaging body tissues. In order to benefit from the antioxidants in apples, researchers suggest eating an apple per day — including the skin. Another good source of procyanidins is apple cider, which is mulled from the entire apple.

Another study lead by American researchers found that vegetables also reduce the risk of cancer. People who consumed at least three servings of vegetables per day were 40% less at risk of developing non-Hodgkin Lymphoma than people who ate less than one serving per day.