A study published on Monday, in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggest that citrus fruits may cause melanoma, otherwise known as the most dangerous type of skin cancer. According to the study, the reason may be due to high levels of furocoumarins, which is found in citrus fruits.
Furocoumarins created by plants as a defense mechanism and they are very photoactive. In the study, 1,840 of the participants developed melanoma. Also, participants that ingested a serving of citrus fruit or juice 1.6 times daily, had a 36% higher risk of skin cancer. This research study may impact some of you more then others, but you deserve to know how this new information can impact your life. Here are the reasons why you should sort of care that citrus fruits may be linked to skin cancer:
Why You Should Care
Furocumarins, produced by citrus fruits, has been suspected of playing a big role in the cause of melanoma. One thing you should know about furocumarins is that they are photoactive, meaning their toxicity is intensified by ultraviolet light. Furocumarins have been known to make skin more sensitive to sun, so you can say goodbye to enjoying summer vacation. You won’t get to indulge in sun tanning or walks on the beach. And there will absolutely be no instagram photo sessions or snapchats to your finds, even though the lighting would be perfect.
No offense to people with melanoma, but the patches that form are really disgusting. I don’t think most of us have the confidence to walk around with miscoloration on the skin. If you do, more power to you.
Another thing that would suck if citrus fruits directly correlate to skin cancer is the absence of orange juice with breakfast. Orange juice is a stable breakfast drink for many families and it would be deeply missed.
And let’s not forget the limes that would be missing with our margaritas and tequila shots. That is the true tragedy.
Why You Shouldn’t Care
I am not a big fan of lemons. Lemon flavored cookies, cakes, or pies are just wrong and should not exist. And when waiters put a lemon in my water, I send it back (not really, but I wish I was that ruthless). If you’re like me you could care less about how citrus fruits may be linked to skin cancer because you can’t stand them anyway.
The research is inconclusive at the moment. Researchers are unsure whether it is citrus whole fruits, juices, or both. Also, the test participants were not representative of the general population. The participants were made up of nurses and other people involved in health professions. This may just be a medical career thing. Maybe bad nurses are linked to skin cancer.
The fact that citrus fruits may be linked to skin cancer might not concern you at all. You may be home and think this information is irrelevant and stupid. But there are some of you that need to take note of this warning. Slow down on your consumption of citrus fruits before it’s too late.
Can you give up citrus foods? Maybe Pavlok can help:
Citrus Fruits May Be Linked to Skin Cancer and Why You Should Sort of Care
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