Social media posts declare that consuming grape seeds or grapeseed oil can cure cancer. However cancer specialists say dietary supplements from the fruit are nonetheless being studied and there may be not sufficient scientific proof to assist the declare, whereas US well being regulators warn in opposition to purported cancer cures promoted on social media.

“They hid this seed for more than 100 years, because it can cure any cancer in just a few days,” a January 24, 2022 Facebook put up claims.

Comparable posts may be discovered on Facebook right here, right here, and right here.

Various cures, uncommon medicines and even hazardous remedy recommendation for illness are sometimes touted on-line, and cancer is not any exception. AFP has beforehand debunked claims that some meals — together with lemon water, apricot seeds, sizzling pineapple water and dandelion root extract — are efficient cancer cures.

The US Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), warns shoppers to “beware of products claiming to cure cancer on websites or social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.”

The FDA web site notes that these unproven therapies are available many types, “including pills, capsules, powders, creams, teas, oils, and treatment kits,” and are “frequently advertised as ‘natural’ treatments and often falsely labeled as dietary supplements.”

Dr Stacy D’Andre, a Mayo Clinic affiliated oncologist and integrative drugs specialist, advised AFP: “Grape seed supplements are being studied for their anti-cancer potential, but there is no conclusive evidence that this supplement can cure or treat cancer.”

“There is some anti-cancer activity seen in cell culture and animal models and early trials with prostate cancer patients, but more research is needed,” she mentioned.

The findings have additionally not been constant throughout cancers. She defined that “one study showed that people who consumed grape seed had fewer blood cancers,” however one other discovered “grapeseed did not help breast cancer patients with the side effects of radiation therapy.”

This was echoed by The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Heart, a New York remedy and analysis heart. Its web site says: “Although it has antioxidant properties, grape seed has not been shown to treat or prevent cancer.”

Dr Nagi Kumar, a senior member of the cancer epidemiology program and division of breast and genitourinary oncology on the Florida-based Moffitt Cancer Heart, cautioned that there “is still more information needed about these promising compounds from grape seed products.”

Kumar mentioned early research analyzing grape seed oil confirmed encouraging outcomes, together with “reduction in inflammatory and insulin resistance markers, which have an implication in obesity and thus cancer.”

However she mentioned: “It is still unclear how long these compounds stay in the blood and how much of these compounds consumed really get into the blood of humans in order to provide these beneficial effects. Most of all studies in humans are still needed.”

Dr Marji McCullough, the senior scientific director of epidemiology analysis for The American Cancer Society agreed. “Grape seed extract (GSE) is rich in proanthocyanidins which has antioxidant properties. However, the limited number of studies in humans have not shown that GSE can prevent or treat cancer.”

“Proanthocyanidins are found in a variety of plant foods, including berries, apples, kidney beans, and nuts, and therefore can be part of a healthy, mostly plant-based diet,” she added.

Each D’Andre and McCullough additionally warned that grape seed merchandise can probably work together with different medicines. They advocate disclosing all dietary supplements taken or thought of to 1’s well being care supplier.