Avoiding Raw Fruits and Vegetables May Not Protect Leukemia Patients

Traditionally, leukemia patients who are in the hospital for their first round of chemotherapy are kept on a special diet, called a neutropenic diet, to prevent infection. A neutropenic diet only includes foods that have been cooked, and no raw fruits and vegetables are allowed, as they may be contaminated with bacteria that could potentially cause a serious infection for patients whose immune systems are already weak.

However, a new study suggests that a diet that includes raw fruits and vegetables may not increase the risk of major infections during initial chemotherapy treatment. The patients in this study were given antifungal and antibiotic drugs to fight infection, and one group was kept on the neutropenic diet while the other group was allowed to have some fresh fruits and vegetables. 29% of patients in the raw-diet group developed a major infection during the study, and 32% of patients on the neutropenic, or cooked, diet developed an infection. While a neutropenic diet is still the standard for leukemia patients in the hospital, perhaps this study will allow some patients to enjoy the health benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables during treatment.