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This Popular Juice May Reduce Your Skin Cancer Risk, New Study Says

It's the most common cancer—but scientists have found a powerful (and flavorful!) tool to prevent it.

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to an estimate from the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), while diagnoses of the most dangerous type have increased significantly in the past five decades. Fortunately, nutrition and cellular scientists have just discovered what may be a really simple way to fend off skin cancer… and, you could find this a deliciously welcomed addition to your diet.

Continue reading to learn which type of juice was just found to play a part in skin cancer prevention. Also, don't miss One Major Effect Coffee Has on Your Kidneys, New Study Says.

A few basics on skin cancer…

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The AADA suggests an average of nearly 10,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every single day. Of these diagnoses, it's estimated almost 200,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma—the type of skin cancer that can be the most deadly—this year. Melanoma is said to be slightly more common among men than women, with the most notable increase in diagnoses occurring among Americans ages 80 years and older.

Meanwhile, non-melanoma skin cancer is said to affect more than three million Americans every year.

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Researchers aimed to look at prevention.

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Science has demonstrated that diets high in fruits and vegetables, especially those which deliver antioxidants, can help prevent various types of cancer.

For a study published in the new issue of the international, peer-reviewed Journal of Cancer Prevention, nutrition and cellular scientists at Canada's University of Ottawa examined the effect of a particular kind of fruit juice on skin cancer prevention.

Drinking This Increases Your Risk of Skin Cancer, New Study Says

Blueberry Juice and Skin Cancer

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Blueberries are known as one of the "superfoods" that may help reduce the risk of cancer. With that in mind, the researchers measured the effects of blueberry juice on the occurrence of skin cancer.

They prepared fresh blueberry juice from fully matured wild blueberries picked in selected areas of the Atlantic region. Then they enriched a quantity of the juice with polyphenols.

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Their Conclusion

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The researchers observed that the polyphenol-enriched blueberry juice "significantly inhibited the proliferation of skin [cancer stem cells]."

They add that the juice "possesses potent anticancer and anti-metastatic potentials and may represent . . . [an] agent against skin cancer."

This could suggest that you might not need polyphenol-enriched blueberry juice prepared in a lab to enjoy the benefits of blueberry juice. Finding ways this fall to get more blueberries in your diet, like in oatmeal or smoothies, could help protect your skin (and your overall health) come next sunny season.

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Krissy Gasbarre
Krissy is a senior news editor at Eat This, Not That!, managing morning and weekend news related to nutrition, wellness, restaurants and groceries (with a focus on beverages), and more. Read more about Krissy