Reports state that consumption of pomegranates may help keeping breast cancer at bay by phytochemicals found in the fruit inhibiting the estrogen-responsive breast cancer.

Researcher Shiuan Chen, PhD, director of the Division of Tumor Cell Biology and co-leader of the Breast Cancer Research Program at City of Hope in Duarte, Calif., said, “Phytochemicals suppress estrogen production that prevents the proliferation of breast cancer cells and the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors.”

Researchers say aromatase is inhibited by ellagitannins in pomegranates. Body makes estrogen using an enzyme called aromatase. This plays a key role in breast cancer growth.

Ten ellagitannin-derived compounds from pomegranates were studied as their impact was analyzed on aromatase activity. Results stated that Urolithin B inhibited breast cancer cell growth the most. The results were published in Cancer Prevention Research.

Pomegranate not only helps avoid breast cancer but previous research shows that the fruit may help prevent diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease due to the anti- oxidants and the vitamins present in it.

Every year more than 400,000 women die from breast cancer worldwide.