Ice cream that could combat negative side effects of chemotherapy was today revealed by diary giant Fonterra and Auckland University.

The medicinal ice cream, known as ReCharge, has started phase 2 clinical trials in New Zealand to assess its effectives against chemotherapy induced diarrhoea (CID) and anaemia.

It could also reduce weight loss and damage to the immune system during chemo treatement.

Oncology centres throughout the country are taking part in the trial and 10 patients are already signed up for a daily regime that includes eating a 100gm tub of strawberry ice cream that contains two active dairy ingredients that combine to address the side effects.

LactoPharma, a partnership between Fonterra and the university, screened dairy components for health effects.

Fonterra chief technology officer Dr Jeremy Hill said the two bio-active milk components developed for the ice cream have the potential to assist the body in coping with the side effects of chemotherapy.

LactoPharma is funded by Fonterra and the taxpayer through the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. They jointly invested $2 million to develop the ice cream.