Blueberries:

According to recent research published in the British Journal of Cancer blueberries, which contain the compound lupeol can help to fight head, neck and mouth cancer in patients who have failed to respond to any other treatments. Tests on mice by a team at the University of Hong Kong suggest the compound may help to shrink tumours with few side effects.

 

The compound works by blocking a natural protein called NFkb, which helps to grow and repair all cells, even cancerous ones. At present patients with cancer of the head and neck are given chemotherapy and radiation and according to this research lupeol could be added to make these treatments more effective. Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day has also been found to reduce the risk of head and neck cancers which are often triggered by smoking and excessive drinking.

Black raspberries:

Other research suggests that eating black raspberries could help to prevent cancer of the mouth, oesophagus and colon. Previous studies on rats have shown that black raspberries, which look like blackberries but are actually a different species, can help to slow or stop the growth of tumours in the mouth, oesophagus and colon of animals. Now evidence is emerging from Ohio State University that the berries can also help with humans.

 

Researchers asked 20 men and women with chronic inflammation of the oesophagus that leads to an increased risk of cancer to eat a portion of freeze dried black raspberries every day. After 26 weeks all the patients had a significant reduction in DNA damage. Many also showed increased levels of an enzyme known to fight cancer causing molecules.

Q: Is there a link between milk and weight loss

A: It’s unclear if increasing the amount of dairy products you eat and drink will help you lose weight. Some studies indicate that people who add dairy products into a reduced-calorie diet lose more weight than those who cut back on their calories but consume little or no dairy. Other studies have concluded there’s no effect on weight loss.

 

Some research suggests that drinking more milk may help some people lose weight because dairy products contain certain substances — including calcium — that may help regulate weight loss. But much more research is needed to determine what role, if any, milk and other dairy products may play in weight loss.

Q: Should I wash supermarket fruit before I eat it?

A: In general my advice is to wash fruit and vegetables before you eat it to avoid the risk of exposure to toxins, chemicals and pesticide residues which your body doesn’t want or need and which have been linked to an increased risk of poor health and infertility.

 

If you can buy organic produce you don’t risk exposure to unnecessary toxins and chemicals but it’s still a good idea to wash your fruit before you eat it as you have no idea who has been handling the fruit or what dirt they may have collected along the way. Supermarkets often state on their packaging whether a fruit or vegetable is washed and ready to eat but my advice remains the same as with organic produce; wash first then eat.

 

Having said that eating the occasional unwashed fruit won’t do you any harm but you do need to be really careful if you are pregnant, elderly or in poor health as your immune system is vulnerable and there is a risk of food poisoning and infection. Another risk is toxoplasmosis which can cause serious damage to an unborn baby so if you are pregnant or hoping to be make sure you always wash fruit and vegetables before eating.