Study: Pomegranate may slow breast cancer worsening

Eating pomegranates may slow down the worsening of breast cancer, according to a new research in U.S. as quoted by news reports Wednesday.

The research, published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, showed that an ingredient in the fruit may help to slow the growing pace of breast cancer tumors.

Researchers in the City of Hope Cancer Research and Treatment Center in Duarte, California, found that ellagitannins in pomegranate inhibit an enzyme which helps the body make oestrogen, a hormone which fuels most breast cancers.

Medicines as aromatase inhibitors are for post-menopausal women who have got breast cancer. The ingredient in pomegranate has the same effect as the drugs.

"We were surprised by our findings," said Dr. Shiuan Chan, one of the researchers. However, the researchers did not recommend people start eating the fruit as a replacement for the medicines. Chan said, "They are not as potent as the real drugs."

(Agencies)