Many people believe antioxidant-rich superfoods such as blueberries and broccoli help fight cancer. But 85-year-old Nobel laureate James Watson now says oxygen molecules known as free radicals may actually be key to preventing cancer and anti-oxidants “may have caused more cancers than they prevented.”

According to Watson, free radicals can actually help manage diseased cells, and they may also prove instrumental in creating new cancer drugs.

For as long as I have been focused on the curing of cancer, well-intentioned individuals have been consuming antioxidant nutritional supplements as cancer preventatives, if not actual therapies.” Watson wrote in a journal Open Biology. “In light of recent data strongly hinting that much of late-stage cancer’s untreatability may arise from its possession of too many antioxidants, the time has come to seriously ask whether antioxidant use much more likely causes than prevents cancer.”

The American scientist said many studies have found antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E have “no obvious effectiveness in preventing stomach cancer or in lengthening life.” In fact, those who consume them—particularly vitamin E—tend to live slightly shortened lives.

Samantha Lile

Samantha Lile is a 2002 Missouri State University graduate of journalism and mass media. She has served as a reporter and editor for various newspapers throughout her journalism career. She made the leap into writing full-time after working for a major financial institution since 2000.

Because of her banking background, Samantha is knowledgeable in finance reporting, but is also strong in commentaries, personal profiles, youth studies, horticulture, history and entertainment-related works.

Samantha lives in Ozark, Mo. with her husband of nine years, four dogs and two cats.

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