Breast Cancer Protection from Peaches, Plums

The antioxidant compounds in two of summer's most colorful fruits appear to damage breast cancer cells but don't target normal cells. Researchers in Texas performing lab tests used extracts from "Rich Lady" peaches and "Black Splendor" plums and found that they destroyed even the most aggressive breast cancer cells. The investigators at Texas A&M AgriLife said certain phenols in the fruits were responsible for the effects they observed,and that the extracts used had five times the toxicity on cancer cells as on normal cells. In follow up tests, they also found that the compounds prevented cancer from growing in animals. The research team said that the phytonutrients in plums matched or exceeded those provided by blueberries, which had been considered to have the most potent antioxidants among fruits. The study was published last year in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.

My take? We know that antioxidants including anthocyanins in blueberries and other blue and purple fruits protect against carcinogens, and that the beta carotenes in yellow fruits, such as peaches, boost the immune system. These new laboratory findings are very interesting, and I look forward to hearing about future studies of these extracts. We need cancer treatments that are less toxic than our present chemotherapy agents. If these findings are confirmed, the fruit extracts might turn out to be a promising alternative. 

Why not try this vibrant Peach and Blueberry Cobbler, and get both types of antioxidants!

Comments

[Heather]

Thank you for this post! Blueberries are important in a healthy diet as well as many other superfoods. To learn more about the foods that will keep you healthy and lean go to http://www.bestofyoutoday.com/health-nutrition/super-foods.html