Researchers in Great Britain have genetically engineered a purple tomato that has cancer-fighting nutrients that are usually seen as naturally occurring in berry fruits. While you won’t find these purple tomatoes at your local grocer just yet, this research goes a long way to proving that food can be genetically modified to help people live healthier overall. Findings from the research were published in Nature Biotechnology magazine (abstract available here, full article available here with subscription). So let’s take a look at some of the research and what it could mean for you and me.
The bottom line with this research is that the modified tomatoes were shown to prevent cancer in laboratory mice. In the lab, cancer-prone mice ended up living longer when fed the purple tomatoes than a selection of the same mice fed a standard diet. The main focus of the study was anthocyanins, an antioxidant found naturally in blackberries. This antioxidant has been shown to lower the risks of heart disease, cancer and even some neurological diseases.
So how did they do it? Using genetic material from the snapdragon flower, the researchers were able to get the tomatoes to produce the anthocyanins. The tomatoes turned purple as a result of the gene-swapping process. The results in the mice were more significant that the scientists had originally thought they would be. The mice that ate the normal diet lived an average of 142 days, while the ones on the purple tomato diet lived an average of 182 days. Overall that demonstrates an increase in lifespan of 28%! Now that would be a significant finding if it holds true in the human population as well.
The studies are not complete and the researchers say it will be a while before human trials can be done. However, all hope is not lost! Remember that this particular antioxidant is found in the blackberry? Well they can also be found in raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, black currants and bilberries. Maybe you’re not much of a berry nut. Well these mysterious anthocyanins can also be found in red cabbage and eggplant as well. Red grapes, cherries and even oranges carry some of the healthful substance. So, despite the fact that the researchers’ genetically modified fruit won’t be available on your supermarket shelves for some time, the tried-and-true natural versions are already there, just waiting for you to come and get them. So go and get something off the list above of anthocyanin containing fruit today! Healthy eating awaits.
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