Researchers at Mexico’s IPN School of Medicine are carrying out tests with epicatechin, a molecule present in chocolate that causes cancer cells to self-destruct in cell cultures and animal models, according to the Scientific and Technological Advisory Forum.

Epicatechin, found naturally in cocoa, red wine, or green tea, can kill cancer cells selectively without affecting normal cells according to these specialists.

Additionally, they have found that combined with other drugs currently used in clinical therapies, such as paclitaxel (Taxol) and tamoxifen (Tamoxifen), it accelerates their effects and decreases the amount required.

The studies have been carried out in the laboratory with cell cultures, but now scientists are already carrying out research on animal models to check their innocuousness in living beings and in the medium term, they want to test on humans.