Study: Ginger May Slow Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells

The substance that gives ginger its flavor appears to inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota.

In studies of mice that lacked an immune system, the researchers gave some of the mice thrice-weekly feedings of [6]-gingerol -- the main active component of ginger.

Control mice were treated the same, except their food contained no gingerol. Mice consuming gingerol had smaller than average and slower growing tumors.

Researcher Ann Bode, reporting on her study at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual conference in Phoenix, noted that ginger has been used for centuries as a home remedy.

"Plants of the ginger family have been credited with therapeutic and preventive powers and have been reported to have anti-cancer activity," said Bode. "These results strongly suggest that ginger compounds may be effective chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinomas."

An American Cancer Society spokesperson cautioned, however, that the research is preliminary, and the organization's website advises people with cancer to consult their doctor before taking ginger because of its potential to interfere with blood clotting.

Other sources: University of Minnesota