Avocados can help kill cancerous cells
Nutrients taken from avocados are able to thwart oral cancer cells, killing some and preventing pre-cancerous cells from developing into actual cancers, according to researchers at Ohio State University and reported in the United States Caregivers newsletter.
Researchers found that extracts from Hass avocados kill or stop the growth of pre-cancerous cells that lead to oral cancer. Hass avocados are year-round fruits known for their distinctive bumpy skin that turns from green to purplish-black as they ripen.
Similar research has not been conducted on other varieties of avocados. Studies have long associated the consumption of fruits and vegetables with a reduced risk for various types of human cancer.
The protective effect is attributed to the high levels of phytonutrients or phytochemicals, plant compounds thought to have health-protecting qualities, that are often found in dark coloured fruits and vegetables.
“As far as we know, this is the first study of avocados and oral cancer,” says lead author Steven D’Ambrosio, a member of the molecular carcinogenesis and chemoprevention program at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“We think these phytochemicals either stop the growth of precancerous cells in the body or they kill the precancerous cells without affecting normal cells. Our study focuses on oral cancer, but the findings might have implications for other types of cancer. These are preliminary findings, and more research is needed”.
The findings are published online in the journal Seminars in Cancer Biology. Avocados are chock-full of beneficial antioxidants and phytonutrients, including vitamin C, folate, vitamin E, fibre and unsaturated fats. They are naturally sodium-free, contain no trans-fats and are low in saturated fat, making them a healthy addition to any diet.
