Claim: Viral posts on social media claimed that Dr Gilbert A Kwak, a professor at ICBS General Hospital, stated that hot fig water can cure cancer and that hot figs can “destroy” cancer cells.
Fact: Although test tube studies have shown that figs possess some anti-cancer properties, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that hot fig water can cure cancer.
On 15 May 2024, an an online page called “E NEWS خبریں” shared a post (archive) on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, suggesting that hot fig water possesses cancer-fighting properties. This claim was allegedly supported by a statement from Dr Gilbert A. Kwak, a professor at ICBS General Hospital. The post asserts that consuming hot fig water can actively destroy cancer cells and cure people.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check first attempted to verify the existence of Dr Gilbert A Kwok, who the posts allege is a professor at ICBS General Hospital. Despite a thorough search on Google, Facebook and LinkedIn, no records or references to such an individual were found.
A very similar assertion was discovered in an article on thereporters.com.ng discussing hot pineapple water and attributing the information to Dr Gilbert A Kwakye from ICBS Hospital in Chana. However, the article failed to specify the location of this hospital, and further searches on Google, Facebook and LinkedIn did not validate the existence of either the doctor or the institution. Newschecker.in has fact- checked posts that also quote a Dr Gilbert A Kwok as saying hot pineapple water can cure cancer.
While a systematic review of potential anticancer activities of figs in the peer-reviewed academic journal Phytomedicine does indicate that figs may have potential in cancer prevention and therapy, it also stresses the necessity for more detailed studies and clinical trials to substantiate these findings.
WebMD highlights the imperfect nature of research on fruits and cancer, noting the scarcity of studies and inconsistent results. They emphasise that no single food or fruit can prevent or combat cancer, saying, “The research on fruits and cancer isn’t perfect. There aren’t many studies, and the results are often inconsistent. No food, and certainly no one fruit, can prevent or fight cancer.”
Healthline’s examination of test-tube studies on fig leaves and cancer cells suggests promising results, but it does not imply that consuming figs or fig leaf tea will produce the same effects in humans. Such studies are a starting point, but they require human trials to determine their impact on cancer growth. The article states, “However, this doesn’t mean that eating figs or drinking fig leaf tea will exert the same effects. Test-tube studies offer a promising starting point, but human studies are needed to assess how ingesting figs or fig leaves affects cancer growth.” Additionally, the article cautions that figs can cause digestive issues, interact with blood thinners, and may trigger allergies in some individuals.
Moreover, while many fruits have been identified with anti-cancer properties, listed in Healthline’s article “Fruits to Eat During and After Cancer Treatment,” it is crucial to understand that these do not equate to a cure or complete destruction of cancer cells. Notably, figs are not singled out in the article, underscoring the fact that while many fruits may aid in cancer prevention or treatment, figs are not uniquely distinguished for such purposes.
Virality
The claim has gained traction on social media platforms like X and Facebook, with many users sharing the information without verification. E News’s X post received more than 93,000 views, 1,200 likes, and 750 reposts.
The claim has also been published on Facebook here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
Conclusion: The claim about hot fig water’s ability to protect against or destroy cancer cells lacks scientific backing and credible sources. While some fruits, including figs, may have compounds with potential anti-cancer properties, there is no conclusive evidence that they can cure or prevent cancer.
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