A Taste of Wellness for Savoury and Snacks
Givaudan
A medication that is also used as a green food colouring may help lower the risk of liver cancer caused by aflatoxins, US and Chinese researchers report.
Previous studies have shown that chlorophyllin blocked the action of cancer-causing agents in the liver of rodents. Scientists set out to investigate whether chlorophyllin when given to healthy adults reduced their levels of a marker of aflatoxin-DNA damage. High levels of this marker are associated with increased liver cancer risk.
Aflatoxins are carcinogens produced by fungus that are found in soybeans, peanuts, corn and grains.
Previous studies have shown that chlorophyllin blocked the action of cancer-causing agents in the liver of rodents. To test whether the compound had the same effect in humans, the researchers assigned 180 healthy adults in China to consume 100 milligrams (mg) of chlorophyllin or an inactive placebo pill three times a day for 4 months. Levels of the aflatoxin-DNA damage marker were measured in urine samples taken 3 months into the study.
According to results, adults who had consumed chlorophyllin experienced a 55 per cent reduction in levels of this marker compared with adults who had taken the placebo.
Full findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2001;98:14601-14606.