USC Norris Study Links High Fruit and Vegetable Diets to Increased Lung Cancer Risk in Non-Smokers
Recent research from the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has identified a potential link between high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and an increased risk of lung cancer in non-smoking Americans under 50. The study, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting, suggests that younger non-smokers who consume more of these foods than the general population may face a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Dr. Jorge Nieva, the lead investigator, highlighted the counterintuitive nature of these findings, which raise questions about an unknown environmental risk factor related to these otherwise beneficial foods. The study hypothesizes that pesticide exposure from commercially produced (non-organic) produce could be a contributing factor, as these foods tend to carry higher pesticide residues compared to dairy, meat, and processed foods. 
