What Fruits Should Cancer Patients Avoid?

When it comes to cancer, proper nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While there are certain foods that can help fight cancer, there are also some that should be avoided. Cancer patients should be aware of the foods that can worsen their symptoms and increase their risk of infection. Certain fruits can be particularly problematic for cancer patients.

Citrus fruits, such as grapefruits and oranges, may cause irritation to mouth sores and worsen the feeling of dry mouth. Additionally, whole fruits such as apples, apricots, and pears can be difficult to eat due to mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, or nausea. Raw seafood should also be avoided by cancer patients, especially during chemotherapy. Raw or undercooked seafood such as oysters can carry the hepatitis A virus.

Unpasteurized dairy products like raw yogurt or raw milk can contain bacteria that can make you sick. Raw eggs contain Salmonella bacteria which can cause infections. Undercooked meat should also be avoided by cancer patients. It is important to note that there is no clinical evidence to support the idea of a neutropenic diet for cancer patients. Restricting fruits and vegetables can even increase the risk of infection and compromise your nutritional status.

Therefore, it is important for cancer patients to focus on a balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy foods. A large study conducted in Japan found that people who consumed fruit or citrus juices 3 to 4 days a week were less likely to get cancer than those who consumed them 2 or fewer days a week. Therefore, it is important for cancer patients to include fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets in order to get the necessary antioxidants and vitamins. In conclusion, while there are certain fruits that cancer patients should avoid due to their symptoms, it is important for them to focus on a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables in order to get the necessary antioxidants and vitamins.