An Apple Peel A Day Might Keep Cancer At Bay

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Or, what appears to be more accurate: An apple peel a day might help keep cancer at bay, according to a new Cornell study.
Cornell researchers have identified a dozen compounds--triterpenoids--in apple peel that either inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures. Three of the compounds have not previously been described in the literature.
"We found that several compounds have potent antiproliferative activities agains human liver, colon and breast cancer cells and may be partially responsible for the anticancer activities of whole apples," says Rui Hai Lie, Cornell associate professor of food science. Liu is affliated with Cornell's Institute of Comparative and Environmental Toxicoloty and is senior author of the study, which is online and published this month in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Cemistry.
"We believe that a recommendation that consumers to eat five to 12 servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily is appropriate to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, and to meet nutrient requirement for optimum health," said Liu.