I have this annoying habit of looking up the benefits of everything I eat and often with fruits they will claim to reduce the risk of cancer. How is that possible?
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They contain anti-oxidants which consume oxygen free-radicals, which are highly chemically reactive. These free-radicals can react with cells they interact with causing changes. Changes that can lead to cancerous growths.
Certain fruits contain compounds that may help to prevent or slow down the growth of cancer cells in the body. These compounds are called antioxidants, and they work by neutralizing harmful substances called free radicals that can damage cells and lead to cancer.
Some examples of fruits that are high in antioxidants and have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer include berries (such as blueberries and strawberries), citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons), and apples. These fruits are also high in other nutrients that are important for good health, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
It’s important to note that while eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help to reduce the risk of cancer, it is not a guarantee that it will prevent cancer. There are many other factors that can affect a person’s risk of developing cancer, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It’s also important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, rather than relying on just one or two types, in order to get the most benefit.
Anything that reduces your chance of getting cancer can be considered “anti-cancer”
Applying sunscreen before you go outside? Thats anti-skin cancer measures.
Not living next to a radioactive dump? Thats anti-cancer location.
As you know, our body loves to work with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, unfortunately, sometimes oxygen end up with only 5 electrons on the outer shell, making it hella reactive.
So when these radical floats around, it’ll start riping out electrons from cells, which causes damage. the more radical floating around, the more damage they cause. And the more often cells are damage, the higher the risk of cancer.
Enter Anti-oxidants, which are just things that have excess electrons that will donate to these radicals. A 5 e Oxygen with an excessive electron becomes normal oxygen and stops fuking things up. Some fruits contain a compound that are anti-oxidants, and therefore, reduces cancer risk caused by free radical.
They dont have anti cancer properties, they “reduce risk”. The same way diet pills can “help lose weight”, provided you start exercising and following a good diet.
It is worth noting while a healthy diet is obviously important the link between antioxidants and prevention of cancer in humans is very much up for debate. A lot of studies that suggest benefits for antioxidants are “in vitro” (e.g with cells in a Petri dish) and this often does not translate well to the human body in practise. The human body has its own ways of handling free radicals and “antioxidant” is often just a buzz word used to sell health related products.
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