Anti-Cancer Compounds in Apple Peels

Remember when I told you not to peel your apples and eat them instead, peel and all? The compounds that confer anti-cancer properties on apples are believed to sit just beneath the skin, so if you peel your apples, you’re throwing the goodies away. In fact, scientists have determined the chemical identity of those compounds. They are collectively called triterpenoids, and 13 such chemicals have been demonstrated to have antiproliferative activity toward cancer cells.

Now that the active compounds have been identified, I guess it won’t be long until scientists extract them, purify and sell as dietary supplements (much similar to apple pectin that’s already being sold in the market). Wanna bet?