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| |  Orange, Grapefruit Juice A Powerful Anti-Cancer Tool? MONTREAL -- July 28, 1997 -- Orange juice may be a strong ally in the fight against breast cancer and high cholesterol, according to new research released today at the International Congress of Nutrition. Researchers from the Centre for Human Nutrition at The University of Western Ontario, Canada, announced results of two new studies that link orange and grapefruit juice to significantly delaying the growth of breast cancer cells and reducing LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. "The implications are potentially enormous because a powerful weapon against breast cancer and high cholesterol may be as close as your kitchen," said Dr. Kenneth Carroll, director of the Centre for Human Nutrition. In the breast cancer study, researchers tested the ability of orange juice, grapefruit juice and their constituent flavonoids (naturally-occurring, compounds found in many fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits) to inhibit human breast cancer cells in mice. "Mice that received orange juice or grapefruit juice in place of drinking water had 50 percent fewer tumors and metastases," said Najla Guthrie, lead researcher on the Centre's cancer study. "The study groups receiving flavonoids also had a reduction in tumors, but not to the extent of the groups receiving juices. This leads us to believe that in the juice study groups, the flavonoids were working with other components in the juices to reduce the tumors." Anti-cancer Study Uncovers Surprise Outcome Regarding Cholesterol "During the cancer study, we came upon a surprising effect of the orange and grapefruit juices -- cholesterol levels were dramatically reduced," said Dr. Ela Kurowska, lead researcher on the Centre's cholesterol study. "Based on these intriguing findings, we took a closer look through studies on rabbits. Orange juice appeared to be particularly effective in reducing LDL cholesterol." The study showed that test animals fed orange juice had their LDL cholesterol reduced by 43 percent, while those fed grapefruit juice had their LDL cholesterol reduced by 32 percent. "We are very excited by these initial results of both studies, and we'll continue to look into what components in the juices make them so effective,"said Dr. Carroll. "Right now, what we know is that orange and grapefruit juice appear to be particularly effective."
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