Pomegranate juice has components that stop cancer cell migration in the body and weaken their response to chemical stimuli that lead to their spread, according to a U.S. study.
Researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) showed that some ingredients, such as fatty acids, found in pomegranate juice stop spread of prostate cancer in bone. They hope that the same effect can be found with other types of cancer.
Previous studies on the effect of pomegranate juice on the spread of cancer have been the subject of controversy, since researchers could not specify which the biological mechanism behind the supposed beneficial effect is.
In September this year, U.S. Trade Commission accused the company Pom Wonderful, which provided the pomegranate juice for research, which gives false information on the effects of the juice on health.
But the latest study authors say they have identified those components that affect cell adhesion and movement.
However, the same modified ingredients in the juice may have a great impact on treating cancer, because genes and proteins involved in the movement of prostate cancer cells are the same as for other cancer cells, said Dr. Manuela Martins-Green.