It is a very potent antioxidant, and numerous research studies have found an association between greater intake of beta carotene-containing fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk of disease including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in older Americans) and even certain types of cancers.

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Some popular diabetes drugs come with side effects including weight gain, bone loss and even a small risk of certain cancers.

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"This paper confirms that radiation, even in relatively low doses, does lead to risk" of certain cancers, said Alan Craft, emeritus chair at Newcastle University and an author of the paper.

WSJ: Childhood CT Scans Pose Cancer Risk