DOCTOR’S NOTE

Pomegranates could fight off cancer

A substance in pomegranates has been shown to boost the immune system and could help fight off cancer, according to a study by Frankfurt University Hospital.

A chemical called Urolithin A that is found in the fruit was shown to help regenerate the body’s immune cells, making them more effective at battling tumours. It is hoped that this will be a breakthrough for patients with colorectal cancer, which sadly has high mortality rates.

Research shows that immune cells are usually suppressed by the tissue of the tumour, but with Urolithin A, the immune cells can renew more quickly to battle the cancer.