OJ in child cancer link

Orange juice may help to treat childhood cancer, according to research by Texas A & M University.

In tests, compounds called limonoids, found only in citrus fruits, targeted and stopped neuroblastoma cells, which result in about ten per cent of all childhood cancers,

“Limonoids are naturally occurring compounds,” says Ed Harris, who conducted the research with colleague Bhimu Patil. “Unlike other anti-cancer drugs that are toxic, limonoids apparently do not hurt a person. That’s the beautiful potential.”

Limonoids are pigments, full of nutrients, which give fruit colour and flavour. The researchers will now study the effect of citrus drinks on human cancer.