Could pomegranate juice be used in breast cancer treatments
Researchers from Ohio State University have recently discovered that pomegranate juice could be the next oestrogen responsive breast cancer treatment after finding the juicy red fruit produces a chemical known as ellagic acid, a compound which appears to slow and even prevent the growth of cancer cells in breast tissue.
Pomegranate juice has long since been championed for its antioxidants and has already been hailed as a superfood for its health benefits, which include a healthy heart. The study which explored the effects of pomegranate on breast cancer is the first of its kind and also looked at aromatase, the enzyme which is known to play a key role in making oestrogen and promoting the growth of breast cancer.
Whilst it will be a long time until we start seeing pomegranates used in cancer treatments this may be something we can expect in the future. Powel Brown, chairman of the clinical cancer prevention department at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre said, “More research on the individual components and the combination of chemicals is needed to understand the potential risks and benefits of using pomegranate juice or isolated compounds for a health benefit or for cancer prevention.”
For now it wouldn’t hurt women to add a daily pomegranate to their diet in an extra effort to ward off breast cancer.
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