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October 29, 2009, 12:38 pm
Curry spice kills cancer cellsCurry tastes good, but maybe it can even do you good by helping to kill cancer cells of the gullet (the tube linking your mouth with your stomach)!
Source:
news.bbc.co.uk
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Curcumin is often used as a food additive to colour the food yellow - its E number is E100 - read the food labels on the packet of food - can you find it in any foods that you enjoy?
What was discovered?
A molecule called curcumin in turmeric, which gives curry its familiar yellow colour, can destroy cancer cells of the gullet.
Why is it important?
Rates of cancer of the gullet (oesophagus) have been steadily increasing since the 1970's, so there is good reason to develop medicines to kill these cancerous cells.
Molecules found naturally in plants, like curcumin, may already be able to destroy abnormal cancer cells without harming our normal cells, so they can be quickly and easily developed as medicines.
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