Apples
Traditionally, apple peels have been considered healthy because of their fibre content, as the peel contains about 75 percent of the dietary fibre in an apple.
But a recent study has shown that the peel also contains most of the beneficial phytochemicals responsible for apples’ anti-carcinogenic effects.
Scientists processed more than 200 pounds of Red Delicious apples, and extracted phytochemicals from about 24 pounds of peel. They screened the compounds for anti-cancer effects in laboratory cultures of human liver, breast, and colon cancer cells, and identified a group of compounds with potent anti-cancer properties. Specifically, 13 triterpenoids from the peels of Red Delicious apples were identified and confirmed to be highly effective against cancer. Exactly how and why these biochemicals seek and destroy cancer cells is still unknown.
Apple consumption has previously been linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Vol. 55, No. 11, May 30, 2007: 4366-4370
Tags: Biochemicals, Cancer Effects, Cancer Properties, Carcinogenic Effects, Chemistry Vol, Colon Cancer, Colon Cancer Cells, Compounds, Consumption, Dietary Fiber, Dietary Fibre, Fiber Content, Fibre Content, Heart Disease, Human Liver, Journal Of Agriculture And Food Chemistry, Laboratory Cultures, Lung Cancer, Phytochemicals, Red Delicious Apples, Source Journal, Triterpenoids
