Curry and Onions Against Colon Cancer
August 1, 2006 by ruth
Filed under Food & Nutrition
There is a small newly-published study showing that regular consumption of onions and curry may help prevent colon cancer. The effect of these food components were tested on 5 patients (I told you it was small!) with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, a hereditary disorder characterized by the development of hundreds of colorectal adenomas (polyps) that eventually leads to colon cancer.
The researchers attribute this health effect to curcumin (the chemical found in turmeric) and quercetin, an antioxidant found in onions. However, Dr. Gardiello, the gastroenterologist leading the study, believes it is the curcumin which has the larger impact. And though the study does indicate that curcumin may have anti-cancer properties, Dr. Gardiello is quick to point out that the amount of curcumin used in the study is way above what one would normally ingest in a “normal diet”.
How much is normal turmeric consumption, anyway? I wonder whether fans of South Asian cuisine have less colorectal polyps? Nah, don’t answer that; I really don’t want to know.
just saw the pingback. congratulations on this new blog!!
Thanks, Gloria. Glad to be officially part of the b5media Science and Health channel!