Well, folks, it looks like we've got us another one of those interestingly bogus studies to sort through. Who would have thought the day would come when certain groups of scientists try to link a deadly skin cancer, known as melanoma, to something healthy like the regular consumption of citrus fruits? You've got to be kidding me, right?
Okay, I'm not saying this study is absolutely bogus (like the fish oil study was), but it does make a person wonder. Actually, this subject sort of reminds me of when I wrote the blog post entitled "Bogus Study says Omega-3 & Fish Oil Supplements increases risk of Prostate Cancer."
At any acidic rate, there could possibly be a link of some sorts, but isn't everything connected within this grand universe? Without all the superfluous verbiage, lets get down to the heart of this beloved study. When speaking of citrus fruits, the targeted fruity villains in this study were mainly whole grapefruit and orange juice. I love orange juice, but grapefruit is one of the few foods (besides exotic organ meat) on this planet that I will not consume. Not only does it taste awful to me, it seems almost poisonous. If you'd rather read about the bad stuff concerning grapefruit, go here: Grapefruit is not good for Detox or certain Medications
Okay, now back to the topic at hand... A large study looked at the dietary patterns of more than 100,000 Americans. Within this potentially bogus study, they discovered an unexpected link between high consumption of citrus (specifically whole grapefruit and orange juice) and a risk of melanoma (dangerous form of skin cancer). "Researchers found that 1,840 of the study participants developed melanoma and that those who had a serving of citrus fruit or juice 1.6 times daily had a 36 percent higher risk of the cancer than those who consumed it less than two times a week. A serving was defined as half a grapefruit, one orange or a 6-ounce glass of juice." Read more about this crazy stuff, here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/06/29/citrus-consumption-and-melanoma-how-real-is-the-link/
Okay, I'm not saying this study is absolutely bogus (like the fish oil study was), but it does make a person wonder. Actually, this subject sort of reminds me of when I wrote the blog post entitled "Bogus Study says Omega-3 & Fish Oil Supplements increases risk of Prostate Cancer."
At any acidic rate, there could possibly be a link of some sorts, but isn't everything connected within this grand universe? Without all the superfluous verbiage, lets get down to the heart of this beloved study. When speaking of citrus fruits, the targeted fruity villains in this study were mainly whole grapefruit and orange juice. I love orange juice, but grapefruit is one of the few foods (besides exotic organ meat) on this planet that I will not consume. Not only does it taste awful to me, it seems almost poisonous. If you'd rather read about the bad stuff concerning grapefruit, go here: Grapefruit is not good for Detox or certain Medications
Okay, now back to the topic at hand... A large study looked at the dietary patterns of more than 100,000 Americans. Within this potentially bogus study, they discovered an unexpected link between high consumption of citrus (specifically whole grapefruit and orange juice) and a risk of melanoma (dangerous form of skin cancer). "Researchers found that 1,840 of the study participants developed melanoma and that those who had a serving of citrus fruit or juice 1.6 times daily had a 36 percent higher risk of the cancer than those who consumed it less than two times a week. A serving was defined as half a grapefruit, one orange or a 6-ounce glass of juice." Read more about this crazy stuff, here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/06/29/citrus-consumption-and-melanoma-how-real-is-the-link/
The justification for the link between citrus fruits & skin cancer...
They theorize that the citrus fruit link to melanoma might be due to high levels of something called furocoumarins found in citrus fruit. These substances are produced by plants as a defense mechanism and are photoactive, meaning that their toxicity is enhanced by ultraviolet radiation. They have been known to cause skin to be more sensitive to sunlight.
While this may be true, I find it odd that citrus fruits grow best in the sunniest areas closest to the equator. Is this nature's version of sinister sun block? "Bask in the provided sun garden and drink from my tree, then die," says the nefarious orange tree. Wait, no, uh, never mind...
While this may be true, I find it odd that citrus fruits grow best in the sunniest areas closest to the equator. Is this nature's version of sinister sun block? "Bask in the provided sun garden and drink from my tree, then die," says the nefarious orange tree. Wait, no, uh, never mind...
Why the study could be bogus...
The findings of this study were independent of age along with other factors including cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and other lifestyle factors linked to cancer. However, the study consisted of 63,810 female nurses and 41,622 men in the health profession. Uh, yeah, like that is a good representation of the common public. Plus, that could also raise the skin cancer rates since people in those type of professions would come more getting every little skin mark or lesion investigated by a doctor as opposed to the general public.
Other factors, like what areas in the U.S. they lived in, the amount of sun exposure they received on a regular basis, etc., were not mentioned in this study. Here is a comment from one of the actual participants of the study, from another website:
"I wish the reporters would include references when appropriate. http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2015/06/24/J... They could have controlled for the geographic location for residents. All dietary amounts are estimated and self-reported every year or two. (I am one of the 100,000 study participants). At any rate, causation not proven but the overall risk is low. Next!"
Plus, people who consume more juice and citrus fruits may also be outside more while trying to live a more active, healthier lifestyle. Some of them may also be the ones who take too many synthetic vitamins, mega-antioxidants, and so on, which have been known to have adverse reactions and so forth. In a thumbnail, there are way too many variables involved here to just lump skin cancer / melanoma all together with freakin' oranges and grapefruits, in my opinion.
Speaking of opinions, I found this comment to be rather funny but somewhat true, which was found on another website: "OMG, first it was bacon, then butter, now it's orange juice for crying out loud. And Viagra, too!!!! What's next.... mom, apple pie and ice cream?? Might as well just go ahead and just shoot me now!!!"
---End of Post "Bogus Study? Citrus Fruits increase risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer"
Other factors, like what areas in the U.S. they lived in, the amount of sun exposure they received on a regular basis, etc., were not mentioned in this study. Here is a comment from one of the actual participants of the study, from another website:
"I wish the reporters would include references when appropriate. http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2015/06/24/J... They could have controlled for the geographic location for residents. All dietary amounts are estimated and self-reported every year or two. (I am one of the 100,000 study participants). At any rate, causation not proven but the overall risk is low. Next!"
Plus, people who consume more juice and citrus fruits may also be outside more while trying to live a more active, healthier lifestyle. Some of them may also be the ones who take too many synthetic vitamins, mega-antioxidants, and so on, which have been known to have adverse reactions and so forth. In a thumbnail, there are way too many variables involved here to just lump skin cancer / melanoma all together with freakin' oranges and grapefruits, in my opinion.
Speaking of opinions, I found this comment to be rather funny but somewhat true, which was found on another website: "OMG, first it was bacon, then butter, now it's orange juice for crying out loud. And Viagra, too!!!! What's next.... mom, apple pie and ice cream?? Might as well just go ahead and just shoot me now!!!"
---End of Post "Bogus Study? Citrus Fruits increase risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer"
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