Fruits and Vegetables: Lifesavers or Lifetakers?

Would you ever imagine that an apple a day could keep the oncologist (cancer specialist) away? We always connect the benefits of fruits and vegetables to nutrition and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle, but scientists believe that there may be a connection to cancer prevention. The article “Fruit and Vegetables and Cancer Risk” by TJ Key is a scholarly article that notes that individuals who consume larger amounts of fruits and vegetables may be less prone to various types of cancer. A variety of studies were conducted, testing numerous types of cancer and how groups of individuals whose diets consisted of larger amounts of fruits and vegetables were proven to show lower rates of cancer. The author mainly notes that even though this dietary staple is not a direct cure for cancer, it has shown slight correlation to healthier, cancer free patients. In an opposing article entitled “Pesticide Concerns May Actually Harm Us”, Emily Sohn argues that while fruits and vegetables are healthy for any individual and our diets should undoubtedly consist of substantial amounts of them, pesticides located on them can be lethal. They have ties to cause various types of cancer, as well as a deterrence in proper development for children. While TJ Key and Emily Sohn both stress the importance of fruits and vegetables in their articles, Sohn takes a different approach in describing the harmful affects of non-organic produce while Key defends a more convincing argument by correlating fruits and vegetables to lower cancer risks.

The article “Fruit and Vegetables and Cancer Risk” concludes that sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables are pertinent to maintain proper nutrition for all individuals, especially getting regular amounts of Vitamin C in ones diet. Similarly, Emily Sohn states in “Pesticide Concerns May Actually Harm Us” that public health officials stress that people continue to eat two to six cups of fruits and vegetables per day. We see the obvious similarities in how both authors emphasize the importance of fruits and vegetables; however, it is necessary to analyze their opposing views.

In TJ Key’s article, he notes the impact of fruits and vegetables on various types of cancer including esophageal and stomach, and how people with a high intake of this diet have 40-50% lower risks of developing cancer. He also points out that while fruits and vegetables don’t have direct causation to some types of cancer, such as lung cancer, higher consumption of them do have a correlation. Individuals who eat the proper servings of fruits and vegetables tend to smoke less, which is the direct cause of eighty percent of lung cancer patients. In contrast, Emily Sohn states in her article that one of the biggest concerns regarding pesticides and cancer occurs in organophosphates which are intended to attack molecules in the nervous system of insects. It was proven that mothers who intake high levels of organophosphates while pregnant give birth to children who perform lower in intelligence tests. In addition, she includes that some chemicals in pesticides, even though the likelihood of this happening is very rare, can cause DNA damage which leads to cancer. Overall, both articles prove strong evidence and support for their points of view.

While taking both perspectives into account, it seems that the article “Fruits and Vegetables and Cancer Risk” seems to be much more convincing. While the article concerning pesticides does show a strong thesis, it does note that the chances of having cancer or developmental problems from fruits and vegetables is very slim. TJ Key notes that while cancer cannot be prevented by the intake of fruits and vegetables, it can lower the overall risk. Personally, I feel as though Emily Sohn’s argument toward pesticides is quite controversial. She herself states that the likelihood of developing cancer or having other complications from pesticides is minimal, while noting that the benefit of fruits and vegetables outweighs the costs. Individuals need a well balanced diet in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle; exercise alone cannot ensure optimal health. While we can eliminate the minuscule chance of developing cancer from pesticides by only consuming organic fruits and vegetables, it is not the easiest option for everyone. The biggest concern for a healthy individual is that they are maintaining a well balanced diet, and the consumption of any fruit or vegetable, regardless of pesticides, is important.