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ANAHEIM, Calif., Apr 19, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Eating broccoli helps fight ovarian cancer and red chili peppers battle pancreatic cancer, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine studies conclude.
The research, examined the effects of food on two especially deadly forms of cancer. "We decided to look at two particular cancers -- ovarian and pancreatic -- with low survival rates, to ascertain the contribution of diet and nutrition to the development of these cancers," said lead University of Pittsburgh researcher Sanjay Srivastava.
"We discovered that red chili pepper and broccoli appear to be effective inhibitors of the cancer process," he said.
The capsaicin in red chili peppers interferes with cancerous cells but "produces no significant damage to normal pancreatic cells," Srivastava said.
In the second study, phenethyl isothiocyanate found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables inhibited a protein that ovarian cancer cells need to grow.
The research was presented during the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Anaheim, Calif.,
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
