A 1999 study showed consuming citrus peels, but not the fruit itself or its juice, lowered the risk of skin cancer. Limonene found in the skin of citrus fruit is the probable beneficial compound. Be sure to look for organic fruit if you are planning to eat the peel. Another fruit not mentioned with a high limonene content where you are expected to eat the peel, is the kumquat.
Citrus peel use is associated with reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, by Hakim IA, Harris RB, Ritenbaugh C., Cancer Prevention and Control, Arizona Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. Nutr Cancer. 2000;37(2):161-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11142088
From the abstract, limonene has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models of breast and colon cancers. The principal sources of d-limonene are the oils of orange, grapefruit, and lemon. The present case-control study was designed to determine the usual citrus consumption patterns of an older Southwestern USA population and to then evaluate how this citrus consumption varied with history of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin.
In this Arizona population, 64.3% and 74.5% of the respondents reported weekly consumption of citrus fruits and citrus juices, respectively. Orange juice (78.5%), orange (74.3%), and grapefruit (65.3%) were the predominant varieties of citrus consumed. Peel consumption was not uncommon, with 34.7% of all subjects reporting citrus peel use.
There was no association found between the overall consumption of citrus fruits or citrus juices and skin SCC. However, the most striking finding was the protection purported by citrus peel consumption. Moreover, there was a dose-response relationship between higher citrus peel in the diet and degree of skin cancer risk lowering.
This was the first study to explore the relationship between citrus peel consumption and human cancers. The results show that peel consumption, the major source of dietary d-limonene, is not uncommon and may have a potential protective effect in relation to skin SCC. |
Eating citrus peel prevents skin cancer
Posted - 06/01/2011 : 21:26:10
