03/08/2026
THE CAMOTE EFFECT🧬
Camote leaves, commonly eaten as talbos ng kamote, have drawn scientific interest for compounds that may affect the growth and survival of cancer cells.
In one study, researchers tested a polyphenol-rich extract from sweet potato greens against human prostate cancer cells. The extract slowed their growth and triggered apoptosis, a natural process in which damaged or abnormal cells essentially undergo programmed cell death.
The researchers also tested the extract in mice carrying human prostate tumors. After six weeks, tumor growth was reduced by about 69% compared with untreated mice, providing evidence that the effects were not limited to cells grown in a laboratory dish.
More recently, a 2025 study tested extracts from different sweet potato leaves and stems against human breast and lung cancer cells. Several extracts reduced cancer cell survival, with some varieties producing particularly strong effects against breast cancer cells.
Researchers believe compounds naturally present in the leaves, including polyphenols, flavonoids and other plant chemicals, may contribute to these effects.
A recent systematic review covering dozens of studies found similar preclinical activity across several cancer models, although the exact compounds and mechanisms continue to be investigated.
These findings do not mean that eating camote leaves can treat cancer. The evidence remains largely preclinical and comes from concentrated extracts, isolated compounds, laboratory cells and animal experiments.
Human clinical studies are still needed to determine whether any of these findings can eventually be translated into cancer therapies.
Still, the research shows that an inexpensive and familiar vegetable may contain compounds worth exploring further for future medical research.
