Eat Grapes To Kill Cancer Cells

The perfect collision of the sweetness and tanginess could be the reason why grapes have been one of our favorite fruits while growing up. But what we are not aware of are the qualities within the seeds and skins of grapes, which research has found to help kill colon cancer stem cells. According to Jairam K.P. Vanamala from Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, the compounds present in grapes can be used in the treatment against colon cancer. If this works according to researchers, they can formulate a pill made of the same compounds to treat colon cancer and even reduce the probability of recurrence of the disease among cancer survivors. Colon cancer is the second most common cancer found in women and third most common among men.

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The study was conducted on 52 mice, all of them showed presence of colon cancer cells. The mice were divided in 3 different groups. One group was the control group, the other group was fed grapes and the last one was given sulindac, an anti-inflammatory drug which was chosen because a previous study showed it significantly reduced the number of tumors in humans. The group which was given the grapes had a suppression rate of cancer cells by 50 percent which was similar to the mice which were given the anti inflammatory drugs.

Laboratory evidence suggests that substances in grapes are called proanthocyanidins and resveratrol which have long-term health benefits. Proanthocyanidins are strong antioxidants that are found in grape seed extract and protect cells from free radicals. Some researchers claim that antioxidants prevent the development of cancer. Resveratrol is found in grape skins and is believed to also delay the development and progression of cancer.

According to Vanamala the cancer stem cells are capable of self renewal, cellular differentiation and maintain their stem cell like characteristics even after invasion and metastasis. This is also known as the cancer stem theory. This renewal can be prevented by consuming grapes due to its compounds.

"The combination of resveratrol and grape seed extract is very effective at killing colon cancer cells," Vanamala said. The research is published in journal of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
 

(Inputs from ANI)