Apple and its cancer fighting ability
It's no secret that apples have historically played an important role in maintaining a healthful lifestyle. But what is it about the apple that "…keeps the doctor away"? Scientists in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University have concluded that the peel may, in large part, account for the potential cancer-fighting capabilities of apples.
Numerous studies have previously linked the apple's antioxidant properties to reduce the risk of cancer, as well as a positive impact on heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer Disease, and symptoms of asthma. These findings have shown that whole apples and apple products exhibit high antioxidant activity. Researchers are now looking to determine exactly which part of the apple is the most responsible for the activity.
Dr. Rui Hai Liu and his research team at Cornell looked at the chemical composition of apples and identified a group of phytochemicals that are more abundant in the peel and appear to kill or inhibit the growth of at least three different types of human cancer cells: colon, breast and liver.
In the study, recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers processed 230 pounds of apples and extracted the chemical content of the apple peel. Liu and co-author Xiangjiu He then isolated the phytochemical compounds in the peels and tested them on each of the 3 different types of cancer cells. Of the 12 compounds tested, most exhibited potent anti-cancer activity against all 3 cancer cells.
In previous studies, Liu identified apple compounds that appeared to inhibit mammary tumor growth in rats. In this study compounds called triterpenoids were effective against breast, liver and colon cancer cells.
Apples contain a large concentration of various phytochemical compounds, including flavonoids, which act as powerful antioxidants. Liu suggests that, based on his research, apples are one of the largest sources of flavonoids in the American diet. According to the researchers, apples with peels "…may impart health benefits when consumed and should be regarded as a valuable source of natural antioxidants or bioactive compounds."
Source: R.H. Liu, X "Triterpenoids Isolated from Apple Peels Have Potent Antiproliferative Activity and May Be Partially Responsible for Apple's Anticancer Activity," Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 30 May 2007, Volume 55, Issue 11, Pages 4366 - 4370.
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The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.
Source: US Apple Association
Numerous studies have previously linked the apple's antioxidant properties to reduce the risk of cancer, as well as a positive impact on heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer Disease, and symptoms of asthma. These findings have shown that whole apples and apple products exhibit high antioxidant activity. Researchers are now looking to determine exactly which part of the apple is the most responsible for the activity.
Dr. Rui Hai Liu and his research team at Cornell looked at the chemical composition of apples and identified a group of phytochemicals that are more abundant in the peel and appear to kill or inhibit the growth of at least three different types of human cancer cells: colon, breast and liver.
In the study, recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers processed 230 pounds of apples and extracted the chemical content of the apple peel. Liu and co-author Xiangjiu He then isolated the phytochemical compounds in the peels and tested them on each of the 3 different types of cancer cells. Of the 12 compounds tested, most exhibited potent anti-cancer activity against all 3 cancer cells.
In previous studies, Liu identified apple compounds that appeared to inhibit mammary tumor growth in rats. In this study compounds called triterpenoids were effective against breast, liver and colon cancer cells.
Apples contain a large concentration of various phytochemical compounds, including flavonoids, which act as powerful antioxidants. Liu suggests that, based on his research, apples are one of the largest sources of flavonoids in the American diet. According to the researchers, apples with peels "…may impart health benefits when consumed and should be regarded as a valuable source of natural antioxidants or bioactive compounds."
Source: R.H. Liu, X "Triterpenoids Isolated from Apple Peels Have Potent Antiproliferative Activity and May Be Partially Responsible for Apple's Anticancer Activity," Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 30 May 2007, Volume 55, Issue 11, Pages 4366 - 4370.
------------------------------
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.
Source: US Apple Association
Labels: apple and cancer, apple health benefits, fruits and health
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