Coral Reefs Can Keep You Healthy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/habitats/Reef

Did you know that coral reefs actually help to keep you healthy? I didn't either! It turns out that coral reefs have lots of interesting and helpful medicinal compounds. These have compounds have already led to a few important drugs but there are still many to be discovered! Coral reefs have helped with treatments for ulcers, cancers, HIV and heart disease. Mostly coral reefs are used for cancer research though. In fact, "more than half of all new cancer drug research focuses" on these marine organisms. Due to the importance coral reefs have in our lives, we should really work towards saving these beautiful creatures.


http://www.coral.org/resources/about_coral_reefs/why_care