Chemicals found in red chilli peppers, cabbage and broccoli could be used to help fight cancer, according to new research.US scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have found that natural ingredients in the vegetables slow or prevent the growth of cancerous tumour cells. In red chilli, the hot chemical, capsaicin, was found to target cancer of the pancreas - an affliction that affects some 7,000 Britons every year."Our results demonstrate that capsaicin is a potent anti-cancer agent, induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells and produces no significant damage to normal pancreatic cells," said lead researcher, Sanjay Srivastava. In a second study, scientists identified phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, as an effective inhibitor of cancer of the ovaries.The findings are expected to boost sales of the vegetables, as well as open the door to new opportunities for manufacturers of functional foods - one of whose targets will be to make red chilli more palatable in large quantities. Professor Srivastava added that diet plays a major role in the fight against cancer. "The contribution of diet and nutrition to cancer risk, prevention and treatment has been a major focus of research in recent years because certain nutrients in vegetables and dietary agents appear to protect the body against diseases such as cancer," he said.
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I can't help but feel if you lived on those foods you would have a hole where your bum used to be!
