According to the latest research conducted by scientists from the University of Wisconsin in England, juice from pomegranates may help inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells, a type of cancer that is very common among men.
This finding was presented after scientists conducted a laboratory study on mice. The results indicate that pomegranates contain a high level of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
Prostate cancer is considered the most common cancer among men in England. Each year, approximately 30,000 patients are diagnosed in this country, and around 10,000 of them do not survive.
Previous research has also discovered the effects of compounds found in pomegranates, particularly a study conducted by Israeli scientists. According to their findings, consuming just one glass of pomegranate juice daily can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The current research is focused on the effects of pomegranates on prostate cancer.
Initially, the scientists tested the effects of pomegranate juice extracted from the fruit on human prostate cancer cells cultured in the laboratory. The results showed that the cancer cells were significantly destroyed, with the number of cells killed being directly proportional to the amount of juice used.
Next, the scientists implanted these prostate cancer cells into mice. One group of mice was given pure water, while the second group was provided with water mixed with pomegranate juice at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 0.2%. The results were promising; the growth of cancer cells in the group that received water mixed with pomegranate juice was much slower than in the other group, and the effectiveness was proportional to the amount of juice added.
The lead researcher, Professor Hasan Mukhtar, stated: “Although we are still in the early stages of research, our study once again demonstrates that pomegranates contain numerous anti-cancer agents, especially against prostate cancer.”
Supporting the findings of this research, Dr. Chris Hiley, a member of the Prostate Cancer Society in the UK, expressed his views: “This is indeed a very significant result as it not only brings hope to men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer but also to those who have yet to be affected by this disease. It is not too early to say that our daily diet has a substantial impact on promoting or inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells. There is no reason why we should not consume more fruits, especially pomegranates and pomegranate juice, in hopes of preventing this terrible disease.”
