Researchers at University of Texas Southern medical center have come to know during their research work that antioxidants can help promote the growth of cancer cells among patients. The research brings a new side of antioxidants, which are generally known for maintaining health and fighting off cancers.

Antioxidants are found in foods like blueberries, strawberries, nuts, Red Kidney beans and cabbage. But as per the researchers, antioxidants may not be good for those who are cancer patients.

In the study, Dr. Sean Morrison, CRI director, and his colleagues assessed the progression of cancer in mice. They transplanted Melanoma cells in specialized mice and divided them into two groups, one of the groups was given N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which is a common antioxidant found in supplements and other group was given nothing.

The researchers noticed that the mice that were given NAC were having higher levels of cancer in the blood and tumors in them grew larger in size. Dr. Sean Morrison said, “We discovered that metastasizing melanoma cells experience very high levels of oxidative stress, which leads to the death of most metastasizing cells. Administration of antioxidants to the mice allowed more of the metastasizing melanoma cells to survive, increasing metastatic disease burden”.

The new research not only provides a new perspective, but also raises questions about the theory that antioxidants can help protection against cancer and stops the growth of cancerous cells.