There’d been a big buzz about a recent article that commented on a latest cancer research in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Basically, the article was a misinterpretation of the findings of the research. The newspaper comment claimed that fruit and vegetables negligibly lower cancer risk.

The Facts

After a close examination, the news group didn’t read the scientific article as a whole. Let me, summarized five salient points.

1. Europeans don’t eat much fruits and vegetables. Their consumption of fruits and vegetables is way below what is recommended by the World Health Organization with minimal of 400 g (a pound).
2. People in Northern countries have a greater incidence of cancer than in Southern countries.On the average, they consume one serving, 225 grams or half a pound daily. That increase in Southern countries of Europe to 1.5 servings or 350 grams. There isn’t an established link yet between these two findings. Other factors come into play such as sun exposure ( vitamin D deficit) and lifestyles.
3. Females with higher education exercise more, smoke and drink less alcohol. They have lesser incidence of cancer. However, there had been no mention of a relationship between the intake of fruits and vegetables and a lesser incidence of cancer.
4. A whole portion of fruits and vegetables slightly decreases cancer incidence as compared from only 100g. Probably, the researchers weren’t able to find enough people who consume more than 1 servings of fruits and vegetables. 5 to 10 potions will be about 2 pounds to 4 pounds ( 1000 to 2000 g) a day.
5. One portion of fruits and vegetables daily decreased cancer risk of heavy drinking and smoking.

What is missing

The general news network commented on the fourth data only. Which is true, but very misleading. Compared a group who does not eat fruits and vegetable with a group who barely eat fruits and vegetables is not representative. Plus, it didn’t take into account:
1-The synergy of a higher serving of fruits and vegetables.
2-Which fruits and vegetable were eaten. It is functional foods that fight cancer, not all fruits and vegetables. Just look a the list on your right to found them out.

Bottom line

Regrettably, the scientific article had been misinterpreted. Interpretation of a health report should be done by expert in that field. If it were so, the report would’ve greatly benefited the reading public. If you’re in financial trouble, you’d listen to a financial expert. If you’d interpret a scientific paper, you should listen to a scientific expert. Always check you source like this one made by a Registered Dietician.