A study has found that tobacco smokers who ingest high levels of flavonoids, in their diet have a lower risk of developing lung cancer, the ‘Cancer’ journal reported.

Flavonoids are said to block the formation of blood vessels that tumours develop so they can grow and spread, and stop cancer cells from growing, allowing for naturally programmed cell death, or apoptosis, to occur, according to researchers at University of California.

“What we found was extremely interesting, that several types of flavonoids are associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer among smokers. The findings were especially interesting as tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for lung cancer,” lead researcher Zuo-Feng Zhang said.

The researchers reached the conclusion after looking at 558 people with lung cancer and 837 people who did not have lung cancer and analysing their dietary history. They found that those who ate foods containing certain flavonoids seemed to be protected from developing lung cancer.

Posted: 06|3|08 at 8:58 am. Filed under: News.