CIDER brewed in a North Somerset village could hold the key to finding a new cancer treatment. Thatchers, based in Station Road, Sandford, is passing on its cider to experts at Glasgow University, who believe the tipple could be influential in solving hea

CIDER brewed in a North Somerset village could hold the key to finding a new cancer treatment.Thatchers, based in Station Road, Sandford, is passing on its cider to experts at Glasgow University, who believe the tipple could be influential in solving health problems such as strokes, heart disease and cancer.Volunteers are now drinking the cider, which has been brewed in the village for more than 100 years, and will be tested to see if they experience any benefits. The study is being led by the university's Serena Marks.She said cider apples have high levels of antioxidants called phenolics, which may be linked to protecting the human body against serious diseases.She added: "Previous research suggests there may be an association between phenolics and protection against some serious diseases, so we are trying to find out how we get phenolics from our diet."We know apples are high in phenolics and our research shows cider apples have a higher content than dessert apples. We tested some ciders before we started and Thatchers had the most phenolics.