Carrots - Different Colors, Differing Effects

[Harry Hirsute]

PALMYRA, Wis., Apr 24, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Crude extract from white carrots inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation more thoroughly than crude extracts of orange, yellow or red carrots, according to laboratory studies conducted by research scientists at Standard Process Inc.(R) The study results were presented during the recent Experimental Biology 2008 conference in San Diego.

Certain pigments, common in carrots, have been studied extensively in laboratory tests for their effects on cancer cells. Although research consistently shows that these isolated pigments inhibit cancer cell proliferation, little research has been done on the effects of "crude" extract--an extract containing a complex mixture of phytochemicals present in the whole food rather than the carrot pigments alone.

The Standard Process laboratory research, conducted by Paul Hanlon, Ph.D., found that while all carrot varieties inhibited human prostate cancer cell proliferation, the white carrot variety had the highest level of bioactivity. The laboratory experiment demonstrated that the enhanced bioactivity of the crude white carrot extract must be due to these non-pigmented phytochemicals.

A second carrot laboratory study conducted at Standard Process by research scientist Brandon Metzger investigated the effects of purple carrot on markers of inflammation. Although purple pigments in fruits and vegetables, called anthocyanins, are usually considered bioactive phytochemicals, Metzger, a Nutritional Sciences Ph.D. candidate who conducted the study, found that other phytochemicals, called polyacetylenes, were responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects.

https://www.npicenter.com/anm/templat...1109&zoneid=28