(Natural News) The answer to preventing colon cancer could be literally dangling in front of you. That is, if you're in a vineyard. Scientists have recently discovered that grapes could hold the answer to killing colon cancer stem cells.

Researchers from the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute have found a potential cure for colon cancer. They discovered that the compounds found in grapes — resveratrol — could be effective in treating colon cancer, according to Jairam K.P. Vanamala, associate professor of food sciences at Penn State. "The combination of resveratrol and grape seed extract is very effective at killing colon cancer cells. And what we're learning is that combination of these compounds is not toxic to healthy cells."

Published in the recent issue of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the findings suggested that resveratrol could be used in pills to help prevent colon cancer and minimize the recurrence of the disease for cancer survivors.

Resveratrol is a compound found in red grapes and wine. It's mostly concentrated on the grapes' skin and can also be found in other plant sources like cocoa, peanuts, and berries. Resveratrol acts as a natural pesticide against fungi. Resveratrol is been quite popular among health experts because of its potential health benefits. It's believed to be effective in providing relief, if not the cure, for ailments like diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women in the United States. In 2016, approximately 135,430 adults were diagnosed with the disease. Additionally, about 50,260 deaths are foreseen to be linked to colon cancer. Incidentally, it is the second leading cause of death in the United States — second for men and third for women.

According to Cancer.net, while there are no proven ways to avoid this disease, there are ways to lower your risk. One of them is to have the right diet. They write: "a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in red meat may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Some studies have also found that people who take calcium and vitamin D supplements have a lower risk of colorectal cancer." (Related: Study Suggests Vitamin D Improves Survival From Colorectal Cancer)