Only certain vegetables and fruits may have cancer fighting properties

Previous studies have produced inconsistent results about whether fruit and vegetables can inhibit kidney cancer. A recent study involving 61,000 women found that consumption of bananas, root vegetables, salad greens and cabbage produced a statistically significant benefit in terms of kidney cancer risk. Banana consumption 4 to 6 times a week resulted in a halved risk compared to those who didn't eat fruit at all. Root vegetable consumption resulted in a 50-65% reduced risk. The known risk factors for kidney cancer which is diagnosed in 190,000 people world wide each year are smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and exposure to certain chemicals (eg asbestos, cadmium). The protective benefits of bananas may be due to its phenolic content (antioxidant) and the isothiocyanates in cabbage may also fight cancers. Surprisingly, researchers found a high intake of fruit juice was linked to increased risk of kidney cancer but they are unsure of the reason or its meaning.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by Reuters Health

Related Disease Topics:

• Kidney cancer
• Smoking
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Chemical toxicity

Article Source Details

About: Only certain vegetables and fruits may have cancer fighting properties

Date: 21 January 2005

Source: Reuters Health

Author: Amy Norton

URL: http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=7395700

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Risk and asbestos exposure
• Risk and cadmium exposure
• Research and kidney cancer
• Research and smoking
• Research and obesity
• Research and high blood pressure
• Research and chemical toxicity
• Risk and kidney cancer
• Risk and smoking
• Risk and obesity
• Risk and high blood pressure
• Research
• Hypertension
• Risk and hypertension
• Research and hypertension
• Risk and chemical toxicity
• Diet
• Research and diet
• Risk and diet

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