London - Drinking just two glasses of orange juice a day could increase your risk of getting the deadliest form of skin cancer.
A 26-year study found those who consume more than one serving of citrus fruit a day were a third more likely to develop melanoma.
One serving was defined as the equivalent of half of a grapefruit, one orange, or a six-ounce glass of grapefruit or orange juice.
The researchers sent regular questionnaires to assess 100 000 participants’ lifestyle factors, medical history and diet.
Their study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that melanoma risk was 36 percent higher in those who consumed fruit or juice at least 1.6 times a day. Eating grapefruits appeared to have the strongest link to the disease, following by drinking orange juice.
The researchers, from Brown University in Rhode Island, say the link may be due to high levels of substances called furocoumarins found in citrus fruits. Previous studies have shown that suntan lotions containing these increase the risk of skin cancers. Lead author Dr Shaowei Wu would not recommend cutting back on citrus fruits “at this time”, adding: “We need much more research.”
Daily Mail