Horseradish has caught the attention of scientists due to its potential in the fight against cancer. Recent research has shown that horseradish peroxidase, an enzyme found in horseradish, has cancer-fighting properties. A 2021 study published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy investigated the effectiveness of an enzyme derived from horseradish peroxidase to fight cancer cells. The enzyme was tested in combination with a drug called IAA, and the results showed significant effectiveness in killing cancer cells while sparing healthy cells from toxicity.
Additionally, a study published in Current Pharmacology Reports in 2015 highlighted the cancer-protective properties of cruciferous vegetables, including horseradish. These vegetables are believed to influence epigenetic changes. This process essentially lets you reprogram your genes and can effectively “turn off” genes promoting cancer cell growth and “turn on” genes that suppress cancer cell proliferation.
Glucosinolates, a key component of horseradish, play a pivotal role in its potential cancer-fighting properties. These compounds are broken down into isothiocyanates when cruciferous vegetables are cut or chewed. Isothiocyanates have demonstrated various anticancer attributes, including inhibiting the division of cancer cells, prompting programmed cell death in these cells, impeding the formation of new blood vessels crucial for tumor growth, and reducing inflammation, which can promote cancer development.