Exotic veggie “squashes” SKIN CANCER?

Skin cancer is probably the last health “risk” on your mind… especially during the chill of winter.

But the reality is, nearly 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Meaning skin cancer doesn’t take off during these colder months!

But fending off skin cancer doesn’t mean rushing to cover yourself from head-to-toe or bathing in sunscreen.

Thankfully, lowering your risk of skin cancer—any time of year—can be done with the help of a single, exotic veggie.

A study out of Indonesia has found that the chayote, a type of summer squash found in Mexico and parts of the Southwestern U.S., is packed with compounds that help STOP the growth of skin cancer cells.

This particular study looked at a skin cancer called lentigo maligna melanoma—a condition caused by unprotected sun exposure, common in the climate of Indonesia.

During their tests, they found that a chayote (pronounced chai-ow-tay) extract inhibited the growth of skin cancer cells commonly associated with lentigo maligna melanoma.

The researchers also discovered that the chayote has compounds called saponins –antioxidants that protect your skin against harmful UV damage and inflammation.

Even though the chayote is native to Mexico there’s a good chance you can find it at your local grocery store, especially during the spring and summer months when it is more abundant.

You can also often find it at stores that specialize in Latin American food products.

Last but not least, check out your local vitamin and supplement store to see if they carry chayote extract, which is usually in capsule form.

If you do go the route of a supplement, be sure to only take the dosage listed on the product label.

Finally, when it comes to skin cancer, the single best thing you can do to prevent it is to avoid prolonged, unprotected exposure to the sun (even on cold days).

To year-round skin cancer prevention,

Cory Templeman
Senior Editor, eAlert

Sources:

Washburn, Joanne. “Chayote may help prevent and treat skin cancer – here’s how.” https://www.food.news/2022-02-19-chayote-may-prevent-treat-skin-cancer.html