New research has stated that eating a bowl of watercress, a salad leaf, can significantly reduce DNA damage to blood cells.

The report was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and it involved 30 men and 30 women, half of whom were smokers. They ate a small bag of prepared salad for eight weeks, in addition to their regular diet.

The results of the blood tests on the participants showed a 22.9 percent reduction in DNA damage to white blood cells. Damage to DNA is considered by experts to be an important trigger in the development of cancer.

The benefits of watercress were especially notable among smokers.

The research concluded "The results support the theory that consumption of watercress can be linked to a reduced risk of cancer via decreased damage to DNA and possible modulation of antioxidant status by increasing carotenoid concentrations."

So, I think next time instead of skipping over the watercress for the arugula I will grab both!

I am jingling and jangling with charms around my wrist once again. Ever since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my friend Nicole has sent me a Brighton breast cancer bracelet. My very first bracelet arrived in 2004, and I wore it proudly. My second bracelet arrived in 2005 and took the place of the first. And now, as I enter my third year of survival, my 2006 Power of Pink bracelet dangles from my arm.

This year's bracelet features a heart-shaped locket. Other charms -- designed to represent stepping stones to recovery -- feature key survival terms. Brighton tells it like this -- "When we accept, we open the door to trust and find love that will heal. Along the way, we learn to be the inspiration." And there are still more charms -- a breast cancer awareness ribbon signifying a fight for the cure, a four leaf clover to assure luck is on our side, silver beads for richness, clear crystals for truth and purity. And still, there are more.

Brighton recommends we all make a difference in the breast cancer crusade. Some may choose to chip in by contributing financially. Some may volunteer. Some may lend a sympathetic ear to others in need. Some may purchase and wear the 2006 Power of Pink bracelet -- proceeds benefit breast cancer research -- and this one simple act will send an empowering message to women everywhere.

Given the danger of tobacco use as a known cancer risk, is there any redeeming value to the tobacco plant? Dr. Franconi of Checkbiotech believes there might be and has been conducting experiments with transgenic tobacco in developing cervical cancer vaccines. Using crude plant extracts, genetically engineered plants and plant viruses, mice immunized with crude extracts of transgenic tobacco displayed strong immune responses and about 40 percent of the animals were protected from HPV-induced tumors. Ultimately, this avenue of research might one day offer the possibility of using plant extracts as edible vaccines.

The benefits to using plants in the development of cancer vaccines are obvious. Freeze-dried leaf has a long-term stability and shelf life, making the availability for the production of vaccines more dependable; plants demand for solar light, water and minerals are simple and make plants an economic system for production of cancer vaccines. There are still kinks to work out in making this a safe and effective alternative in creating cancer vaccines, and research is continuing in the perfection of production of these vaccines. However, it is interesting work being done with a plant associated with so much despair and damage to health. To read more indepth information about the research and progress researchers are making in developing cervical cancer vaccines using transgenic tobacco, go here.

Photo credit: Checkbiotech greenhouse research facility