Fact Check: Pineapple hot water does not have anti-carcinogenic properties, it cannot cure cancer
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.
Pineapple hot water
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Normally, the human cells grow and multiply to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old and become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes when a process breaks down abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells may form tumours which can be cancerous or benign. There are no specific cures for any kind of cancer, but there are treatments that may cure it. Common cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hormone therapy, etc. The treatment plans generally include one or more of these processes according to the type of cancer found.
Meanwhile, a social media post claims that cancer has been defeated by using pineapple and hot water. The message claims that Professor Dr Gilbert A Kwok insisted that everyone who received this bulletin could take 10 copies to others. It then claims that pineapple hot water will remove the cancer cells completely. The message claims that adding a few slices of pineapple to hot water and drinking this mixture can help boost the body’s ability to fight cancer disease.
The claim in Telugu goes “క్యాన్సర్ ఓడిపోయింది, పైనాపిల్ వేడి నీరు. దయచేసి ప్
When translated, the text claims “Defeated cancer..Pineapple hot water. Please spread the word!! Please spread the word!! ICBS General Hospital Professor Dr. Gilbert A. Kwok insisted that if everyone who received this bulletin could take ten copies to others, at least one life would be saved. I have done some on my part, hope you can too.. Thanks! Pineapple hot water will save your life. Hot pineapple kills cancer cells. Thinly sliced 2- 3 pieces of pineapple in a cup and add hot water, it will be "alkaline water", if you drink it daily, it is good for everyone. Hot pineapple releases anti-cancer substances, the latest advancement in medicine for effective cancer treatment. The warm fruit of pineapple has the effect of killing cysts and tumors. It has been proven to cure all types of cancer. Pineapple hot water clears all the germs and toxins from the body due to allergies/allergies. A drug derived from pineapple juice only destroys *violent cells* and does not affect healthy cells. Also, the amino acids and pineapple polyphenols in pineapple juice can control high blood pressure, prevent blockage of internal blood vessels, improve blood circulation, and reduce blood clotting. After reading, tell others, family, and friends, to take care of their health. *Send this message to at least five groups* *some will not send* *But I hope you will definitely send it*”
The message is viral on Whatsapp also.
The message was viral in the year 2023 too.
Fact check:
The claim is False.
Firstly, when we searched for Professor Dr. Gilbert A Kwok, we did not find any records of such a doctor in any hospital. We did not find any social media accounts in his name. We found some X posts stating that the Dr Gilbert A Kwok does not exist.
We also found a Newsletter – April 2024, Issue 84 – St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences which published a fact check on the same claim stating that it is baseless. While pineapple can be a good addition to the diet (in moderation), further studies are required to evaluate whether extracts of pineapple truly have the ‘magical’ properties put forth in this message.
Pineapple is slightly acidic; no matter how much water is added to dilute it, it does not become alkaline. A literature search in PUBMED did not find any articles that have studied the effects of pineapple water or juice in preventing and treating cancer. An enzyme called ‘bromelain’ has been isolated from the stem of the pineapple tree, which in lab studies have shown that they may reduce cell division and induce ‘apoptosis’ of damaged cells. However, human studies do not exist to back up this finding.
When we searched for the anti-cancerous properties of pineapple, we found that pineapple has Bromelain which has anti-inflammatory actions, fibrinolytic effects, anticancer activities, and immunomodulatory effects. The articles were published in ncbi and also sciencedirect.com published these scientific papers but these tests were done on mice and not humans.
According to AFP fact check, Professor Dr Aru Wisaksono Sudoyo, chairman of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation, said that there is no evidence to support the use of pineapple as a treatment for cancer. "Like other fruits — including apples and avocados, among others — pineapples are healthy. They are fruits that can support general health and immunity. No more than that," he told AFP on August 6, 2021.
While consuming pineapple and other healthy fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of cancer, it is important to note that they are not equivalent to medical treatments or therapies for the disease, he said. Bromelain, a group of enzymes found in pineapple, has been researched as a dietary supplement in test-tube studies for suppressing the growth of cancer cells.
First Check also debunked the claim in 2023 and published a statement by a Professor at the regional cancer center BJ Medical College and consultant oncologist at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, India named Dr. Jayesh D Patel. He warns that such misleading claims can be dangerous as they prevent patients from seeking timely medical care. “Although pineapples are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, they cannot cure cancer. The fruit is known to boost general health and immunity,” he says.
Hence, the claim that pineapple dipped in hot water can cure cancer is False. Though it is healthy to eat pineapple in moderate amounts, it is not yet proven scientifically that it can cure cancer.