Colors of vegetables and fruits and the risks of colorectal cancer

AIM To investigate the relationship between the colors of vegetables and fruits and the risk of colorectal cancer in Korea.METHODS A case-control study was conducted with 923 colorectal cancer patients and 1846 controls recruited from the National Cancer Center in Korea. We classified vegetables and fruits into four groups according to the color of their edible parts(e.g., green, orange/yellow, red/purple and white). Vegetable and fruit intake level was classified by sex-specific tertile of the control group. Logistic regression models were used for estimating the odds ratios(OR) and their 95% confidence intervals(CI).RESULTS High total intake of vegetables and fruits was strongly associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in women(OR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.21-0.48 for highest vs lowest tertile) and a similar inverse association was observed for men(OR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.45-0.79). In the analysis of color groups, adjusted ORs(95%CI) comparing the highest to the lowest of the vegetables and fruits intake were 0.49(0.36-0.65) for green, and 0.47(0.35-0.63) for white vegetables and fruits in men. An inverse association was also found in women for green, red/purple and white vegetables and fruits. However, in men, orange/yellow vegetables and fruits(citrus fruits, carrot, pumpkin, peach, persimmon, ginger) intake was linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer(OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.22-2.12).CONCLUSION Vegetables and fruits intake from various color groups may protect against colorectal cancer.

Parasitic contamination of raw vegetables and fruits collected from selected local markets in Arba Minch town,Southern Ethiopia

Background:One way that people get infected with intestinal parasites is through the consumption of contaminated vegetables and fruits.This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables collected from four local markets in Arba Minch town,Southern Ethiopia.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 21 September 2014 to determine the level of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in Arba Minch town.A total of 360 samples of different types of fruits and vegetables were soaked in physiological saline,followed by vigorous shaking with the aid of a mechanical shaker for 15 minutes and then examined using the sedimentation concentration technique.Results:Out of the 360 samples examined,196(54.4%)were contaminated with at least one type of parasite.Ascaris lumbricoides(20.83%)was the most frequently detected parasite and Isospora belli(3.06%)was the least frequently detected one.It was also observed that decreased parasitic contamination was significantly associated with washing the products before displaying it for selling(P<0.001).Conclusions:The findings of this study provide evidence that there is a potentially high risk of acquiring parasitic infections from the consumption of raw vegetables and fruits in Arba Minch,Ethiopia.The authors believe that an effort should be made by the relevant bodies to reduce the rate of contamination of products with medically important parasites by educating the vendors and the community.