Food for thought; EVERYDAY ITEMS CAN FIGHT CANCER AND BOOST HEALTH Raiding your larder could save your life.

Byline: By Samantha Booth

SURPRISINGLY, jelly and jam have been unveiled as the latest cancer-fighting superfoods.

The treats contain a gelling ingredient called pectin, believed to block a key cancer progression pathway in the body.

Pectin, a natural fibre product found in fruits and vegetables, is widely used in food processing and new research has shown that, under the right conditions, it releases amolecular fragment with anti-cancer properties.

Professor Vic Morris, who led the study at the Institute of Food Research, said: "The treatments used by the industry to modify pectin would emphasise the release of the fragment we've identified," he said.

"I expect you'd get some protection from jam, but it's packed full of sugar. It might be better to get the same protection from fruit and veg, which would give you other anticancer magic bullets too."

An estimated 35,000 tonnes of pectin is produced worldwide each year and most comes from citrus fruit peel and apple pulp.

Here we look at other larder staples which also have health benefits.

BAKED BEANS

Baked beans aren't just good to have around to make a quick and easy meal.

They are low in fat and are packed with protein and fibre.

They also provide important vitamins, including iron, folic acid, zinc and potassium.

COFFEE

Contrary to the popular belief that coffee is bad for you, many studies have shown it contains a considerable amount of antioxidants.

If five cups are taken a day, it can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

TOMATO KETCHUP

TOMATOES and tomato products contain one of the most powerful antioxidants - lycopene. This can help prevent premature ageing, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. And the good news for ketchup lovers is that it is found in higher concentration in ketchup than in any other kind of tomato product or even the raw fruit itself.

HONEY

There are any number of health benefits to honey and it has been used as a treatment for just about everything from conjunctivitis to athlete's foot. It also helps prevent hay fever - if you eat honey from bees in your area - and has been used for thousands of years to help heal cuts. Manuka Honey has even been used to treat the hospital superbug MRSA.

JAM

In the process of making jam, the form of the natural pectin in fruit and vegetables changes. And scientists have discovered it can help halt the spread of cancer when it's in this new state. But, be warned, jam is also packed full of sugar so should only be eaten in small amounts.

JELLY

It is fruit pectin which helps jellies to form their solid, if slightly wobbly, structure and it is also these pectins which have been discovered to help stop cancer in its tracks. Unfortunately, like with jam, it is not advisable to eat lots of jelly because of its high sugar content.

DARK CHOCOLATE

If you really can't curb your chocolate cravings, then reach for a square of good quality dark chocolate which contains at least 70 per cent cocoa.

Not only does it have less sugar than other types of chocolate, it is also filled with antioxidants and can help lower blood pressure. Only eat in small amounts.

ONIONS

As well as helping to combat against colds and viruses, onions can also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

They also help stabilise blood sugar, help prevent stomach and bowel cancer, are a good source of vitamins and are low in calories.

OILY FISH

Packed full of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which cannot be manufactured, oily fish - including mackerel, sardines and salmon - help the body to promote cell repair and ensure healthy reproductive, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

GARLIC

Now garlic really is a superfood. It doesn't just add some flavour to a pasta sauce, it can lower cholesterol, help the body battle infections, reduce the risk of blood clots, reduce the risks of certain cancers, help combat respiratory problems and help lower blood pressure.

EGGS

The humble egg is a common larder staple - and no wonder, given its many health benefits.

Eggs are great for the eyes, are the only food to contain naturally occurring vitamin D, are a great source of amino acids, contain the right kind of fat and, despite claims, have no link to heart disease.

Instead, recent research has proven that eggs help lower cholesterol.

'Pectin, found in jam and jelly, releases a molecular fragment with anti-cancer properties'