Conventional treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy usually make you feel worse because they also kill healthy cells. This causes several side effects, like anemia, weakened immune system and hair loss.

In light of these side effects, much research has been put into finding other methods of fighting cancer. One promising solution may be compounds found in grapes.

Researchers from the Pennsylvania State University found that resveratrol and grape seed extract together can kill colon cancer cells without harming healthy cells.

Anti-cancer grape compounds spare healthy cells

For their study, the researchers fed mice with colon cancer either a combination of resveratrol and grape seed extract or the anti-inflammatory drug sulindac, which past studies showed suppresses tumor growth in humans. They also kept a control group of mice that remained untreated.

Tumor growth decreased by 50 percent in the mice that consumed the grape compounds, similar to those that took sulindac. Remarkably, the grape compounds did not affect the rodents’ healthy cells.

“The combination of resveratrol and grape seed extract is very effective at killing colon cancer cells,” said Jairam Vanamala, a professor of food science and one of the study authors. “And what we’re learning is the combination of these compounds is not toxic to healthy cells.”

The grape compounds could be a promising alternative treatment for colon cancer, which is one of the most common types of cancer. If clinical testings on humans are successful, resveratrol and grape seed extract could then be combined in a pill at doses that help prevent colon cancer.

More studies show grape compounds fight cancer

A 2008 study found that grape seed extract wipes out leukemia cells by making them commit suicide. Researchers arrived at this finding after exposing leukemia cells to various concentrations of a commercially available grape seed extract for 12 to 24 hours and over various time intervals.

They found that the higher the amount of extract applied and the longer the exposure time, the higher the rate of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. They also found that the grape seed extract did not affect normal cells.

A 2012 study also showed that grape seed extract destroys head and neck cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. Researchers examined the effect of the extract on human cancer cells in a lab dish and on mice with head or neck cancer.

They found that the extract damaged cancer cells’ DNA and blocked pathways that allow the repair of the cells. At the same time, none of the mice’s healthy cells were harmed. Co-author Rajesh Agarwal of the University of Colorado Cancer Center attributed this to the fact that cancer cells have plenty of defects.

“I think the whole point is that cancer cells have a lot of defective pathways and they are very vulnerable if you target those pathways. The same is not true of healthy cells,” Agarwal says.

A 2015 review also found that resveratrol could prevent stomach cancer. Researchers explained that the compound triggers the death of cancer cells and helps treat Helicobacter pylori infection, which could cause gastric cancer.

Resveratrol is also a powerful antioxidant, scavenging harmful radicals which can cause oxidative damage and chronic inflammation. Oxidative damage can contribute to the development of cancer.

Get more grapes into your diet to prevent diseases

Grapes are chock-full of beneficial nutrients that help prevent various diseases. Besides cancer, grape compounds can also protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease, among other things.

Eat more grapes as part of a healthy diet to reap those health benefits. These versatile superfoods can be enjoyed in a number of ways. Take a look at the following:

• Eat grapes plain as a snack.
• Freeze grapes for a cool treat.
• Add chopped grapes to a chicken, vegetable or fruit salad.
• Puree grapes in a blender for a smoothie.
• Incorporate grapes into a cheese board for a nutritious appetizer or dessert.
• Drink 100 percent, all-natural grape juice.

Grapes are potent superfoods packed with anti-cancer nutrients. Add these berries to your diet to prevent diseases.

Sources:

Healthline.com 1

ScienceDaily.com

MedicalNewsToday.com

MedicalXpress.com

WJGNet.com

Healthline.com 2