Purple haze

Sorry to pour cold water on the news splashed across the papers today, but I don't think the new purple tomato is going to protect us all from cancer.  The research conducted by a team of researchers at the John Innes Centre and published in Nature Biotechnology looks interesting, but let’s not get carried away with newspaper hyperbole.  First, the biotechnology industry has been promising products that will bring real benefits to consumers for a long time, but they have yet to materialise, at least in the UK.  Second, any new product will need to go through a comprehensive approvals process to assure independent scientists and regulators that it is as safe as any conventional counterpart.  And third, even if we do have a new tomato stuffed full of lots of antioxidants, can we confidently predict that these will protect us from cancer?

The research undertaken at the John Innes Centre was a pilot study on a small number of mice which had been bred to be susceptible to cancer. The mice were fed a diet containing tomatoes which had been genetically engineered to be rich in compounds called anthocyanins. The mice were subsequently found to live longer than would be normally expected.

However, it is not known how far the study’s findings may or may not be applicable to humans. The evidence for any possible anti-cancer effects of anthocyanins in humans is very limited and has not yet been systematically reviewed – for example, in the World Cancer Research Fund’s cancer report.

There is no doubt in my mind that this latest research is a step in the right direction and that, in the long run, modern approaches to plant breeding will help produce better, safer and more nutritious foods.  But, in the meantime, you can take steps to keep yourself healthy by eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.  Take a look at our eatwell website for lots of ideas.