Colon cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most recent statistics available from the CDC indicate more than 50,000 people died from colon cancer in 2007 alone. Although treatment options are available, they are invasive and may not counteract the disease. Therefore, increasing efforts are focusing on preventative strategies such as increasing the consumption of foods that may contain anticancer compounds.
Pomegranates
Research suggests that foods high in anticancer compounds, such as antioxidants, may reduce the incidence and progression of this disease. Pomegranate has well-documented antioxidant properties. The antioxidants in pomegranates include polyphenols, such as tannins and anthocyanins. Although research on the effects of pomegranate consumption on colon cancer in humans is needed, in vitro studies and studies of other cancers have had promising results.
Early Research Findings
In the July 2009 issue of "The Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Science," Seher Khan, a researcher with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, noted that pomegranate has produced anticancer effects in animal studies of lung, breast, prostate and skin cancer. Khan reviewed more than 10 articles of in vitro and animal studies that showed pomegranate interferes with the ability of colon cancer cells to multiply and grow. It also supports apoptosis, or cell death. Pomegranate juice produced the most prominent effects.
Human Studies
Inflammation plays an important role in the development of colon cancer. Anti-inflammatory agents have shown promise in the prevention of colon cancer. Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA studied the effect of pomegranate juice on human colon cancer cells. Their study, published in the February 2006 issue of the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry," found that compounds in pomegranate can interfere with inflammatory signals in colon cancer cells. These findings suggest pomegranate juice may have a preventative effect against colon cancer.
Further Research
Although there is a need for more clinical studies involving humans with colon cancer, human studies conducted for other cancers have been promising. One clinical trial, with results published in the July 2006 issue of "Clinical Cancer Research," reported the impact of pomegranate juice on men with rising prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, following surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. The results of this study showed consumption of 8 ounces of pomegranate juice a day significantly slowed tumor growth and had a chemotherapeutic effect on tumor cells. Based on preliminary research it appears including pomegranate in your diet may have a preventative effect against colon and other types of cancer.
References
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Colorectal Cancer Statistics; 2010
- "Pakistan Journal of Pharaceutical Science"; The Role Of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) in Colon Cancer; S.A. Khan; 2009
- "Clinical Cancer Research"; Phase II Study of Pomegranate Juice for Men with Rising Prostate-Specific Antigen following Surgery or Radiation for Prostate Cancer; A.J. Pantuck; 2006
- "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry;" Pomegranate Juice, Total Pomegranate Ellagitannins, and Punicalagin Cell Signaling in Colon Cancer Cells; S.L. Adams et al.; 2006
