“Reality Check” Urges Researchers To Avoid Hyping “Miracle Foods” For Preventing Cancer

Nutritional scientists and media professionals should be careful about publicizing single-study findings on the effects of so-called “miracle foods” on cancer risk, a “Reality Check” commentary by U.S. health scientists warns. The commentary mentions a show by TV’s Dr. Oz in which he said studies had shown that endive, red onion, and sea bass can decrease the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 75 percent. “However, the scientific evidence supporting these recommendations is limited,” the authors wrote. Researchers should be explaining to the public that miracle foods do not exist, but achieving and maintaining an ideal weight and regular physical activity are critical to lowering cancer risk, even though these are “not as ‘sexy’ as Dr. Oz would like.”