【English Corner 快樂英語角Week 237 】好文趣事
文章一：
Chinese Red Dates Kill Cancer Cells
A lab study from 2018 in the journal Food and Function found that triterpenoids isolated from Chinese red dates induced apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in human lung, breast, and prostate cancer cells, essentially causing them to self-destruct.
Triterpenoids are naturally occurring compounds that plants use to protect themselves against pathogenic organisms and plant-eating animals. People in many Asian countries use them for medicinal purposes and strengthening effect on the immune system.
Triterpenoids also contain anti-inflammatory properties, and can reduce fevers, prevent liver damage, improve heart function, decrease pain, and have sedative and restorative effects on the body.
Another study, published in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine in 2016, investigated the anti-cancer effects of Chinese red dates on cervical and breast cancer. The researchers found that jujube extracts exhibited anti-cancer properties such as inhibiting cancer cell growth, reducing the spread of cancer cells, and causing apoptosis.
A study from 2011 in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology looked at the “cancer killing” effects of red dates on human breast cancer cells. The study concluded that extracts from Ziziphus jujube were effective in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells as well as causing apoptosis. Interestingly, in the lab, the extracts had no adverse effects on healthy tissue. Based on their findings, the researchers determined using Ziziphus jujube extracts showed promise in treating breast cancer in traditional Chinese medicine.
1. 根據本文，下列何者有誤？
（1）紅棗能增強免疫力
（2）紅棗含有Triterpenoids化合物
（3）紅棗裡的萃取物能促使乳癌細胞凋亡
（4）Triterpenoids來自某些動物的分泌
2. 根據本文，Triterpenoids除了有藥用功效與增強免疫外，還有哪些好處？
3. 讀完本文有何感想？你有吃過紅棗嗎？喜歡或不喜歡的理由？。
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紅棗含有三萜類（Triterpenoids）化合物也具有抗發炎特性，能退燒、預防肝損傷、改善心臟功能、減輕疼痛，並對身體有鎮靜與恢復功效。（123RF）（文章來源：英文大紀元時報）
文章二：
Add Chinese Red Dates to Your Diet
So how can you add Chinese red dates to your diet to reap the health benefits? According to an ancient Chinese saying, just a few a day will keep you “forever young.”
Compared to Middle Eastern brown dates, red dates have more antioxidants and fewer calories, and contain 32 times more vitamin C. They also contain half the sugar of brown dates, making them an excellent healthy snack and natural sweetener for cooking and baking.
Red dates can be eaten fresh or dried. They taste similar to a sweet apple when fresh. They are more popular dried and easier to find. They taste like brown dates but with a more subtle flavor.
A serving of three brown dates has 54 calories and 12 grams of sugar, while three Chinese red dates have 28 calories and only 6 grams of sugar. Red dates also contain phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, and potassium.
You can add a handful to oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, or pour boiling water over them to make tea. Add them to desserts as a natural sweetener. They are also traditionally added to soups and rice for their sweet flavor and health benefits.
Chinese red dates are an excellent addition to your diet for their abundant vitamin C, low calories, low sugar content, and brain protecting and cancer-fighting abilities. They’re also a good option for any problems with sleep, stress, or anxiety. You can find them dried at most Chinese grocery stores and health food stores, and online.
1. 根據本文，下列何者有誤？
（1）紅棗富含鈣與鐵
（2）紅棗幫助睡眠
（3）新鮮紅棗較易取得
（4）紅棗的熱量較中東椰棗低
2. 根據本文，相較中東椰棗，紅棗的好處？
3. 讀完本文你有何感想？你會想嘗試在日常飲食裡加入紅棗嗎？試分享一個你喜歡的食譜。
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【解答】
文章一：
1. （4）
2. Triterpenoids also contain anti-inflammatory properties, and can reduce fevers, prevent liver damage, improve heart function, decrease pain, and have sedative and restorative effects on the body.（三萜類化合物也具有抗發炎特性，能退燒、預防肝損傷、改善心臟功能、減輕疼痛，並對身體有鎮靜與恢復功效。）
文章二：
1. （3）
2. Compared to Middle Eastern brown dates, red dates have more antioxidants, fewer calories, 3. 2 times more vitamin C, and half the sugar of brown dates.（與中東的棕色椰棗相比，紅棗的抗氧化物質含量更高、熱量更低，維生素C含量是棕色椰棗的32倍，而糖分則僅為棕色椰棗的一半。）
（文章來源：英文大紀元時報）◇
