Cornell Study Shows Reduced Tumor Evidence in Rats
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Denise Yockey
(800) 456-2753
Eating Apples Daily Could Prevent Breast Cancer
Ithaca, NY – A study conducted by food scientists at Cornell University suggests that the more apples consumed, the greater reduction in the incidence and number of breast cancer tumors.
The study is the first ever to examine the effects of apples on breast cancer prevention in animals. The Cornell researchers treated a group of rats with a known mammary carcinogen and then fed them either whole apple extract from apples or a control extract. The study found that tumor incidence was reduced by 17, 39, and 44 percent in rats fed the human equivalent of one, three or six apples a day, respectively, over 24 weeks. The number of tumors in rats were also reduced by 25, 25, and 61 percent in rats fed, respectively, the equivalent of one, three or six apples a day.
Study researchers credit phytochemicals in apples in helping to prevent breast cancer. These findings add to the body of knowledge known about apples, their health benefits, and disease-fighting qualities.
“We have known for a long time that apples are high in fiber and free of fat and sodium, but we are just beginning to know about the disease-fighting abilities of apples,” said Denise Yockey, Executive Director of the Michigan Apple Committee. “This study suggesting that phytochemicals found in apples could reduce the occurrence of breast cancer tumors is very exciting! It adds to the evidence that apples can truly ‘keep the doctor away!'”
For more information about this study, and other health news about apples, visit www.usapple.org. The report from Cornell University is published in the March issue of the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.