The protective role of fruits and vegetables against radiation-induced cancer.
The role of fruits and vegetables in protecting against radiation-induced cancer and the positive evidence from epidemiology and ancillary investigations are discussed in this review. The recently reported Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor studies provide strong evidence for the protective role of fruits and vegetables against radiation-induced cancer. The anticarcinogenic substances contained in, and the anticarcinogenic mechanisms proposed for, fruits and vegetables are reviewed. The anticarcinogenic effectiveness of fruits and vegetables are compared with that of dietary supplements. The reasons for the observed superiority of fruits and vegetables are advanced.
Hayes
Daniel P
DP
Office of Radiological Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York 10007, USA. dhayes@health.nyc.gov
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014675:Vegetables
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents