THE nation’s favourite carb could hold the key to curing cancer, experts have revealed.
Not only might the starchy carb cure the deadly disease, but it could do so in a pain free way – unlike current cancer treatments.
Researchers from Poland have discovered that glycoalkaloids, naturally occurring chemicals found in potatoes, have cancer-fighting properties.
The same group of chemicals are also found in nightshade vegetables, including tomatoes, aubergines and peppers.
Chemotherapy, an effective mainline treatment for the disease, brings with it a host of nasty side effects like hair loss nausea and vomiting.
This is because the drug works by killing cancer cells and in doing so inadvertently kills healthy cells in your mouth, digestive system, and your hair follicles.
According to research, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, glycoalkaloids can actually prevent cancer-causing carcinogenic chemicals from turning into carcinogens in the body.
A glycoalkaloids found in potatoes – called solanine – can also kill specific kinds of leukaemia.
While, solamargine, a glycoalkaloid found mainly in aubergines can prevent liver cancer.
The team also found the chaconine, another glycoalkaloid found in the vegetables, has the potential to treat sepsis.
Magdalena Winkiel, of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań said the research proves glycoalkaloids are “safe and promising enough to test in humans”.
The expert and and colleagues are calling for more research into the potential cancer-curing properties of the vegetables and plants.
There is currently no scientifically back evidence that suggests simply eating your five a day will kill or prevent cancer cells growing.
However, some plants are already being used to fight cancer, such as Taxol, which comes from tree bark
Dr Charles Evans, of Cancer Research UK backed the call for more exploration into the medical benefits of these foods.
“It’s vital that we explore every possible avenue to discover new treatments, which is why it’s crucial that researchers investigate these chemicals to see if they have the potential to become new drugs,” he said.
“Plants produce a huge and diverse range of interesting and understudied chemicals.
“It’s important to stress that many of these compounds won’t be suitable as drugs, either because they aren’t effective enough or because they’re not safe enough to give to people.”
Cancer is more treatable the earlier it is discovered.
Sadly 450 people die of cancer every day in the UK, and thousands more worldwide.
The NHS says: “It’s important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms.
“Although it’s unlikely to be cancer, it’s important to speak to a GP so they can investigate.”
There are over 200 different types of cancer, according to Cancer Research UK, and each has a different set of symptoms.
While some may be specific to the type of cancer, there are a handful that are more general.
The charity says general cancer symptoms – those that may appear among all patients – are:
