Navjot Singh Video: Can Special Diet & Home Remedies Really 'Cure' Cancer?

Experts note that it is important to eat healthy while also undergoing medical treatments for cancer patients.

(Photo: The Quint)

Senior Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu recently revealed that his wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, beat cancer. During a press conference, Sidhu stressed on how his wife followed a strict diet plan which helped her "overcome" stage 4 cancer in just 40 days.

Following the virality of Sidhu's statements, several oncologists have come forward, dismissing Sidhu's statements as misleading.

The director at Tata Memorial Hospital published a statement slamming the unscientific and baseless recommendations.

Statement released by Tata Memorial.

The Quint reached out to experts to dig a little deeper. Let's take a look at some of Sidhu's claims.

The Claim

Sidhu shared a complete plan on his official X (formerly Twitter) which included turmeric, neem water, apple cider vinegar, lemon water and more.

It also mentioned strict avoidance of sugar and carbohydrates along with intermittent fasting.

In a later post, while detailing his wife’s diet plan, Sidhu begins by attributing her recovery to rigorous medical treatments—surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy—combined with a strict diet plan.

However, Sidhu's earlier posts had already gone viral, with many social media users sharing his video, often accompanied by a misleading narrative suggesting that Kaur’s cancer was cured solely by altering her diet.

An archive can be seen here.

(Source: X/Screenshot)

Speaking to The Quint, Dr Harit Chaturvedi, Oncologist and Chairman of the Max Institute of Cancer Care says, "If a reputed person like Sidhu promotes turmeric and lemon to cure cancer then that would mislead thousands of people who would stop taking medical therapy and only focus on this,"

Can 'Super Foods' and Alt Remedies "Cure" Cancer?

The remedies mentioned by Sidhu — Coconut, Turmeric, Apple Cider vinegar, Lemon Water, and Neem Leaves — are often associated with herbal medicine or traditional remedies due to their historical and cultural use for various health benefits.

Some of them are also considered superfoods, particularly in wellness and holistic health contexts, due to their potential health-promoting properties.

But, is there scientific evidence to support these beliefs?

The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, for instance, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and some laboratory studies (here, here and here) suggest it might help slow the growth of cancer cells.

However, these results are not yet conclusive, and more research is needed to determine if curcumin can be an effective part of cancer treatment.

Lemons, on the other hand, are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which have been shown to support the immune system and help the body fight off infections.

But does this also apply to cancer? Not exactly. In fact, two seperate studies (here and here) published by the New England Journal of Medicine showed no positive effects from high-dose vitamin C supplements in patients with advanced cancers.

Recent early-stage studies have shown the potential benefits of intravenous (IV) vitamin C in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy, as well as some anti-cancer properties (participants consumed large quantities of lemons). However, these studies also emphasise the need for further research.

(Source: Shutterstock)

Various studies also suggest that neem has the potential to prevent cancer when used in conjunction with medical treatment.

However, further research and clinical trials are needed to fully understand its anticancer mechanisms.

Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy often promoted for various health benefits, such as aiding digestion and acting as an antimicrobial agent. However, there is no research to support its ability to treat or cure cancer, and no direct evidence proving that drinking ACV is effective in curing cancer.

A study shared in 2014 found that tumor cells died on exposure to acetic acid. However, the research was conducted in a laboratory setting, and it is not feasible to directly expose a real tumor to acetic acid, making it unlikely that the same results would occur in the human body.

There is also no scientific evidence to support the claim that coconut oil can cure cancer.

Dr Shilpi Agrawal, Consultant-Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Borivali says, "Curcumin is a main ingredient in Turmeric. It is being looked at in clinical trials for its anti- inflammatory properties that may have some preventive action. But it’s effect on already diagnosed stage IV cancer is yet to be proven. There are no clinical evidence for rest of the ingredients."

"I do believe that all these natural things, home-cooked items and fruits are definitively helpful, but to say that these things play a major role in curing cancer is not right."

Dr Harit Chaturvedi, Oncologist and Chairman of the Max Institute of Cancer Care

The Truth about Cancer and Diet

Apart from alternative remedies, the internet is flooded with various 'anti-cancer' diets.

Doctors and nutritionists agree that diet plays a key role in cancer treatment, helping patients manage the side effects and cope with the challenges of treatment. Proper nutrition is also important for reducing inflammation and boosting the treatment’s effectiveness.

However, speaking to The Quint, Dr Seema Bhatwadekar, a Haematooncologist from Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara, clarifies that Stage 4 cancer cannot be cured solely through diet, and its treatment involves a combination of medical interventions such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies.

Furthermore, to claim that a particular diet plan treats cancer would be misleading.

"While a good diet plays a supportive role by improving overall health and treatment outcomes, it cannot replace medical treatment. In the case mentioned in the video, the individual underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy, which were likely instrumental in their recovery. Attributing the cure solely to diet is misleading," says Dr Seema Bhatwadekar.

According to Cancer Research UK, there is a myth about sugar fueling cancer cells. However, that is not true. Just like healthy cells in our body, cancer cells, too, also need lots of other nutrients. So, cutting sugar completely out of your diet does not resolve the issue.

There is not scientific evidence which proves that a “sugar-free” diet lowers the risk of getting cancer, or that it boosts the chances of surviving if you are diagnosed.

There is no evidence-based study that proves that adopting a diet with very low carbohydrates will directly lower your cancer risk without any other medical treatment.

A study titled 'Ketogenic Diets and Cancer: Emerging Evidence' published in 2017 notes that patients combining a no or low carbohydrate diet along with standard chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic options may see the results in improving the tumour response, however, more research is needed on this topic.

Another similar research published in 2021 asserts that the carbohydrate restriction (along with medication and treatment) during cancer therapy is likely to focus only on hormonally sensitive tumours like breast and prostate cancer where obesity is a known risk factor.

Studies also suggest that due to limited clinical research, the effects of intermittent fasting on clinically relevant cancer‐related effects remain unclear. It is proven that fasting alone is less effective against existing cancers compared to when combined with medical treatments like chemotherapy.

"This statement is not entirely accurate. Intermittent fasting or dietary changes might support overall health or complement treatments, but they are not a standalone cure," says Dr Bhatwadekar.

More details can be read here.

(Source: CDC/screenshot)

Can a Strict Diet Prevent Cancer?

Cancer is influenced by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices (such as exercise and smoking cessation), and environmental factors. Therefore, diet is just one element in a broader range of factors that can affect cancer risk.

While no diet plan alone can prevent cancer, research suggests that a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, are believed to help lower cancer risk by supporting overall health, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the immune system.

On the other hand, according to experts, diets high in processed foods, red meats, and sugars may increase cancer risk.

The Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentions that the risk of cancer increases with the more excess weight a person gains and the longer a person is overweight, which is why it is suggested to keep the sugar intake in control along with consuming a balanced diet.

Dr Charturvedi further stresses on how cardiac issues, liver issues and some cancers, are linked with tobacco, alcohol, high BMI, poor quality diet, over eating and lack of exercise. So it is important to focus on controlling weight and having a healthy diet.