Experts have known for years that carrots have anti-cancer properties, however, it has not been known exactly what component of the vegetable has this effect, until now.

Researchers from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in England and Denmark have solved the riddle. They found a natural pesticide produced by the carrot called falcarinol, reduced
malignancies in rats by a third.

The team studied 24 rats with pre-cancerous tumors that simulated human colorectal cancer. The rats were divided into three groups and each group received a different diet.

The researchers found rats that ate carrots with their regular feed as well as a second group with falcarinol added to their feed were a third less likely to develop full-scale tumors than the rats not given either.

The study appears in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

"We already know that carrots are good for us and can reduce the risk of cancer but until now we have not known which element of the vegetable has these special properties," said lead researcher Dr. Kirsten Brandt.

Brandt recommended that people should eat one small carrot every day, as well as other fruits and vegetables.

The researchers hope their findings will eventually aid the development of new anti-cancer drugs.