Wine, the pill

Scientists at the University of Leicester are investigation the use food compounds to prevent the onset of breast, colon and prostate cancer. One specific compounds being tested is resveratrol, which is found in red wine. Other chemicals include tricin from rice, anthocyanins (antioxidants from bilberries, but also found in red wine) and curcumin, from curry spices.

"These [compounds] have proved highly effective in the laboratory – it is extraordinary,'" said Professor Will Steward. "We know they are safe to use but we want to establish if they are effective in humans."

If these tests are found to be effective and human safe, researchers believe pills based on these compounds would be on the shelf as soon as possible as 2010.