Pomegranates and Cancer

Chemicals found in pomegranates may aid in fight against cancers.
According to a column in the Baltimore Sun (12/14, Weir), "chemicals found in pomegranate might have something to contribute in the fight against cancer," University of California scientists found. "When pomegranate juice was applied to prostate cancer cells cultured in a laboratory...researchers found that the cells were less likely to metastasize." Apparently, the "specific components of pomegranate -- phenylpropanoids, hydrobenzoic acids, flavones, and conjugated fatty acids -- inhibit a specific protein found in bone marrow responsible for the movement of cancer cells into the bone."
Meanwhile, the Time (12/14, Melnick) "Healthland" blog pointed out that "POM Wonderful, maker of pomegranate juice and other pomegranate-containing products, ran afoul of the Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission in September for making 'false and unsubstantiated' health claims on its products' labeling." In other words, "there's still no evidence that POM products can prevent heart disease or erectile dysfunction, as the company claimed."