Hamburg, February 25: The extract of bitter melon, a common vegetable in India, China and South America, can help protect women from breast cancer, a new study finds.
Bitter melon, rich in Vitamin C and flavonoids, had long been known for its anti-diabetes and blood-sugar lowering properties.
According to the study published in Cancer Research, the extract of the melon, also known as ‘karela’ in Hindi, can slow the growth or even kill breast cancer cells, leaving healthy cells intact.
“I don’t believe that it will cure cancer,” said lead researcher Ratna Ray, adding that bitter melon can delay or perhaps prevent the condition.
Scientists believe more studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and the safety of the melon.
“Cancer prevention by the use of naturally occurring dietary substances is considered a practical approach to reduce the ever-increasing incidence of cancer. Studying a high risk breast cancer population where bitter melon is taken as a dietary product will be an important area of future research,” Ray added.
——–Agencies