Citrus Compounds May Fight Cancer
August 11, 2000
Orange juice and other citrus juices contain compounds that may help the human body fight off cancer-causing substances, say scientists at the Agricultural Research Service.
The compounds are called bioflavonoids and are potent antioxidants in addition to giving citrus juice its color and flavor, the scientists say. The bioflavonoids inhibit certain enzymes that turn cigarette smoke, pesticides and other substances into carcinogens when they are in the body.
ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s principal research agency and has facilities around the country. The scientists who did the work on citrus bioflavonoids are Hamed Doostdar and Richard Mayer, at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Ft. Pierce, Fla.