False! Beetroot juice does not kill cancer cells in 42 days 

Claim: A Facebook post claims beetroot can kill cancer cells within 42 days.

Verdict: False. The claim is not scientifically supported. While beetroot contains nutrients and antioxidants that promote general health and may contribute to normal immune function, as is the case with many vegetables, there is no evidence that it can cure cancer in 42 days, or at all.

Full Text

Cancer is a group of diseases characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells within the body, which affects various organs and tissues. It remains a leading cause of death globally. Despite advancements in treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy, there is no single, immediate cure for cancer. This lack of a quick solution often allows unsubstantiated health claims to proliferate, especially on social media.

DUBAWA previously debunked numerous claims promoting unproven cancer remedies, as here,here,here, and here.

A Facebook user recently claimed that cancer (archived here) can be killed with beetroot within 42 days.

The post included an image of a hand holding a beetroot, with a glass of beetroot juice beside it. 

An inscription overlaid on the picture reads, “The oncologist announced that this drink kills cancer cells and helps treat diabetes and liver diseases. I will give you these recipes in exchange for an ok.”

As of Feb.10, 2026, when the post was last seen by DUBAWA, it had 5,000 likes, over 2,000 comments and 410 shares.

DUBAWA observed that most users who believed the post responded with an “ok” to receive the recipes.

Other comments queried the claim. @Dorcas Adetokunbo wrote, “What is this Beetroot of a thing? Please, I don’t know, I am not sure I have seen this before. Can someone please explain what it is please?”

@Juliana Peterson also asked, “So how many times in a day and how much?”

@Nkosenthsha Kevin, willing to try it out, said, “I got diagnosed in October, thank you. I am trying it.”

We found the same claim shared here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

For an ailment as serious as cancer, DUBAWA considered the claim of an instant cure suspicious, so we decided to verify it.

Verification

What is beetroot?

Beetroot, also known as beet, is a root vegetable scientifically called Beta vulgaris. It is commonly consumed raw, boiled, roasted, or in juice form. It is used in many parts of the world as a food item and as part of traditional diets.

From a nutritional perspective, beetroot contains water, natural sugars, dietary fibre, vitamins such as folate, and minerals including potassium. It also contains naturally occurring plant compounds known as betalains, which are responsible for its red or purple colour and are often cited in scientific studies examining beetroot’s biological properties.

Beetroot’s wide availability and ease of consumption have contributed to its frequent appearance in online discussions about nutrition and health. Many such claims and discussions are hyperlinked here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

DUBAWA began by searching for evidence that beetroot or beetroot juice could cure cancer or kill cancer cells in humans within a specified timeframe. Our search did not yield any evidence supporting the claim. 

DUBAWA found several laboratory and preclinical studies in PubMed Central (PMC), that examined how beetroot extracts or compounds from beetroot affect cancer cells in the laboratory. For example, one study on prostate cancer cells (PC‑3 cell line) found that certain amounts of beetroot water extract reduced the cells’ ability to grow and multiply in the lab, suggesting a possible effect on cell growth.

Another study on colorectal cancer cells (HCT‑116 and HT‑29) found that beetroot leaf and stalk extracts slowed cell growth and triggered signs of programmed cell death, a natural process in which damaged cells self-destruct.

In a separate study of breast cancer cells, beetroot extracts altered proteins that promote cancer cell survival, resulting in slower cell growth under laboratory conditions. These studies show how beetroot compounds can influence cancer cells in controlled experiments, but they do not prove that eating beetroot can cure cancer in humans.

According to the National Cancer Institute  (NCI), no single food, natural product, or dietary supplement has been proven to cure cancer.  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also confirms that only established treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy can effectively manage and treat cancer. 

What medical experts say

Abba Tijjani, a specialist oncologist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) in Borno State, told DUBAWA that cancer is a complex disease that requires structured, evidence-based medical care.

He stated that cancer management follows established medical protocols in a hospital setting, adding that any treatment administered outside recognised medical facilities is not recommended.

“There are precise diagnostic and treatment protocols that we follow in the hospital, and patients should rely on these approved medical processes rather than alien statements made outside the hospital system,” Abba said.

He explained that while good nutrition, including vegetables like beetroot, is important for overall health, it should not be mistaken for cancer treatment. According to him, eating nutritious food can support the body’s immune system, particularly for individuals undergoing surgery or other medical treatments, but it does not replace evidence-based therapies.

“Patients are always encouraged to maintain a healthy diet before and after treatment to help their bodies recover and build strength. Proper nutrition complements, but does not substitute, clinical cancer care.”

Aminu Saleh, a consultant oncologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), also told DUBAWA that sharing a post claiming that beetroot can kill cancer cells in a short period only demonstrates a misunderstanding of how cancer develops and how it should be treated.

Aminu explained that cancer is not a single disease but a group of disorders driven by abnormal cell growth, often requiring multi-modal treatment depending on the type and stage.

“When we treat cancer, we target biological processes at the cellular level. Treatment decisions are based on tumour type, staging, molecular characteristics, and the patient’s overall condition. We have no clinical trial evidence showing that beetroot, or any individual food, can eliminate malignant cells,” he emphasised.

He noted that while laboratory studies may examine plant compounds for potential health benefits, such preliminary findings should not be interpreted as proof of a cure in humans.

“Cancer outcomes improve when patients adhere to scientifically validated treatment plans and combine them with proper nutritional support under medical supervision,” Aminu concluded.

Conclusion

From available research on the effects of beetroot and responses provided by medical experts, DUBAWA found no tangible evidence to support the claim that cancer cells can be killed with beetroot within 42 days. The claim is therefore false.