Delicious Citrus Fruits Can Prevent Cancer
Delicious Citrus Fruits Can Prevent Cancer
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, which not only give citrus juice its pleasant flavor and color but also act as highly effective antioxidants—widely favored by people. A study found that flavonoids in citrus can kill cancer cells in cell culture without harming healthy cells.
Recently, scientists finally clarified how citrus flavonoids kill cancer cells in culture. These compounds inhibit certain "cytochrome P450 enzymes," which convert "procarcinogens" into active carcinogens.
The most abundant flavonoid in citrus fruits is naringenin, which specifically inhibits the activity of P450 enzymes, preventing them from catalyzing procarcinogens into active carcinogens. This discovery offers great insight to medical professionals, as traditional chemotherapy harms both diseased and normal cells. If naringenin could be applied, it might open new pathways for chemotherapy. Thus, modern individuals living in polluted environments might benefit from eating affordable, accessible citrus fruits to protect themselves from carcinogenic substances.