Colon cancer affects both men and women, and there are an estimated 365,000 deaths a year in the United States attributed to the disease. In almost all cases, health-care professionals are not sure what causes the cells in the colon to become cancerous, but they know that it can spread to other parts of your body.
Regular screenings can help with early detection and is a recommended part of a physical checkup in many older adults. In a recent French study, researchers have discovered that there might be a way to decrease your chances of developing colon cancer and improve your general health.
How Apple Skin Can Prevent Colon Cancer
Researchers in France looked at the antioxidants contained in different apples to see how cancerous cells reacted. The antioxidants or polyphenols found in an apple peel have long been thought to have essential health benefits, especially when it concerns cancer. By exposing the cancerous cells to the antioxidants, researchers noticed a decrease in tumor growth.
The antioxidants found in an apple peel target the cells where oxidation has occurred, which appears to fight colon cancer effectively. One type of polyphenols that seems to be particularly effective is procyanidins, which can impede the spread of cancer.
Another test performed by French researchers also found that the procyanidins in apples could decrease the risk of developing precancerous lesions after being exposed to colon cancer-causing carcinogens. Clothing can help you to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.
Lead researcher Francis Raul of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research believes that it is not only the skin that can help prevent colon cancer but the entire apple. He stated in an interview that the researchers noticed that apple cider also added to the cancer-preventing procyanidins and maybe an easier way to add the antioxidants to your diet.
Eating an Apple a Day
It is not only the antioxidants in the fruit that can help prevent cancer, but apples also contain dietary fiber and vitamin C. While the antioxidants can help prevent and decrease cancer cell growth, they can also help to remove harmful bacteria and toxins from your colon. With an increase in the levels of healthy bacteria, your colon not only functions better but also more resistant to the growth of polyps that can become cancerous.
Vitamin C is necessary for your general health and can be found in apples. Not only can it help to improve the health of your digestive system, but it can also help to strengthen your immune system. This will enable your body to fight off the cancerous cells and help to prevent colon cancer.
The high fiber content in apples is also essential for cleansing your colon and preventing constipation. The fiber can aid your digestion process and make it easier for crucial cancer-fighting vitamins and minerals to enter your bloodstream.
Some studies show that subjects who regularly ate apples were less likely to develop certain cancers that ranged from the colon to the breast and lung. Not only is the fruit showing to be effective at preventing the oxidation of cells from becoming cancerous, but it can also decrease the growth of tumors and slow down the disease’s spread.
Summary
There has been an old saying for decades stating that eating an apple a day can keep you healthy, and current research studies agree. In recent studies conducted in France and the United States, researchers noticed a definite reaction from the cancerous cells when exposed to the antioxidant-rich fruit. Not only can apples help prevent colon, breast, and lung cancer, but they can also help regulate and improve the health of your digestive system.
When your digestive system is functioning correctly, it is harder for the cancerous cells to form, and it can also help prevent any additional health problems from occurring. Apples can be eaten whole or just their skin, and some people prefer drinking the fruit in juice. Not only can the delicious fruit help to prevent colon cancer, but it can also improve your general health and even your appearance.
