An orange a day helps fight cancer

Forget an apple a day - oranges could help beat cancer, a new study has found. Scientists say that a chemical called limonin, found in all citrus fruits, can protect against a range of cancers.

Initial tests are revealed today which found the compound can reduce the spread of cancerous cells in human cells. The researchers also believe it can reduce cholesterol levels and they hope to begin large-scale human trials to monitor the effects of regularly drinking orange juice.

In laboratory tests with animals and with human

cells, the limonin was found to help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach, and colon. California-based Dr Gary Manners said: "Limonin is present in citrus and citrus juices in about the same amount as vitamin C." For the latest experiment, 16 volunteers were given a drink made from limonin in quantities equivalent to drinking seven glasses of orange juice. The researchers also found the limonin stayed in the body far longer than they had expected.

It showed up in the blood of all the volunteers except one. Five still had traces of it after 24 hours. Dr Manners believes this long-term effect could hold the key to why limonin seems able to stop cancer cells from spreading.

The team plans more experiments to monitor the effect of limonin on cholesterol levels, as the initial research found a reduction in the "bad" cholesterol of some volunteers.

However, nutritionist Natalie Savona warned: "This is great news and could lead to new natural remedies, but it is all about having a balanced diet. Yes, limonin can help, but drinking seven glasses of juice a day isn't really practical. But oranges are a great source of a lot of different chemicals, and people should definitely have them as part of their diet."

Oranges also contain antioxidants which protect against heart disease; flavones which can cut cholesterol; carotenoids which may reduce the risk of eye disease; vitamin C which can boost the immune system, and fibre which helps regulate digestion.