We Knew It: Cheese Might Hold The Cure For Cancer, Scientists Say

In a miracle of all miracles, new scientific research points to a preservative naturally found in certain types of cheese that can kill cancer cells. The study, published by scientists at the University of Michigan in Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, has found that nisin, a preservative that can be found in cheeses like Brie, Cheddar, and Camembert, naturally fights cancer cells and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In the study, scientists gave the preservative nisin to rats with tumors in their necks and observed the outcome of the experiment. After nine weeks of this treatment, approximately 70 to 80 percent of the cancer cells in the rats had been killed. 

Nisin is a nontoxic, colorless, and tasteless powder that is usually added to softer cheeses to prevent them from going bad. The treatment was also found to fight off antibiotic-resistant MRSA bacteria successfully.

The research has yet to be tried on human subjects, but the scientists at the University of Michigan say that could be the next step in implementing nisin as a viable cancer treatment.