Purple tomato could fight cancer

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Genetically modified purple tomatoes that have been grown to be rich in antioxidants could help fight off cancer.

Crossed between an orange and a plum, the new super tomato still tastes and smells like the normal red fruit, but the change in colour is down to antioxidant pigments that can protect against a variety of diseases including cancer and diabetes.

Scientists created the purple tomato by combining them with genes from snapdragon flowers which contain an antioxidant called anthocyanin – also found in blueberries and blackberries. The fruit is already being hailed a success after tests on mice that were prone to cancer lived nearly a third longer when their diet included the super tomato.

The results have inspired scientists to believe there is huge potential for creating many more 'functional foods' that could potentially help protect against disease.

Lead researcher and professor of plant biology, Cathie Martin, admitted she was 'bowled over' by the results.

'It's really clear that the mice eating the modified tomato start to die significantly later than mice on the normal tomatoes,' she said.

'At the very least, it suggests that what you eat can really make a contribution towards preventing disease and helping to keep you healthy.'

Monday 27 October 2008

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