Phenolic acids and flavonoids, natural antioxidants contained in fresh apples, seem to combine to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro, according to researchers from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. In the June 22nd issue of Nature, Dr. Rui Hai Liu and colleagues report that they used material extracted from fresh Red Delicious apples to treat a colon-cancer cell line, Caco-2. "Cell proliferation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to apple-extract concentrations above 20 mg/mL," they write. "At 50 mg/mL, inhibition was 43%...and 29%...for apples with [and] without skin, respectively." The team also tested apple extract on HepG2 human liver tumor cells. They found that tumor proliferation was inhibited 57% by extract containing apple skin and 40% by extract not containing skin. About one serving (100 g) of fresh apple provides antioxidant activity equal to that of 1,500 mg of vitamin C, Dr. Liu told Reuters Health. But because the amount of vitamin C in an apple is only about 5.7 mg, almost all the antioxidant activity must come from phytochemicals, he explained. "The key here is the combination of antioxidants in the apples," he noted. "Apples contain almost 100 of the phytochemicals — there is a synergy effect." "An apple a day keeps the doctor away — I think that's right," Dr. Liu added. "Grandma told us a long time ago, but we didn't listen." Nature 2000;405:902-904. This article was written by Steve Reinberg for Reuters Health. Ann's NOTE: The wonderful thing here is that the researcher specifically points out that apples have MANY phytochemicals and that TOGETHER they promote good health. Apples Slow Cancer Growth Explanatory article for this abstract Cold Storage Affects Antioxidant Properties of Apples J Nutr, 5/04 Apples Prevent Mammary Tumors in Rats J Agric Food Chem, 3/05 Organic Apples Higher Phenolic Compound Euro J Clin Nutrition, 5/06 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.