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Azerbaijan: local fruit and vegetables

Azerbaijan is rich in pomegranates, persimmons, quinces, apples, grapes, figs, tomatoes, aubergines and herbs. Fruit and vegetables are valuable during treatment, but they need to be chosen, washed and stored properly.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, a translucent bowl of pomegranates, persimmons, quinces and apples, the pomegranate seeds glowing like rubies.
Figure 1.Azerbaijani fruit can stay on the table during treatment.

01Short answer

Fruit and vegetables provide vitamins and fibre and can stay on the table during treatment. The main rules: choose whole, undamaged produce, wash it well under running water, peel it when appropriate, and do not leave cut fruit out for long. During neutropenia some teams may limit raw produce or prefer cooked vegetables — follow your own team’s rules. Grapefruit, and sometimes pomegranate, can interact with certain medicines.

02Simple explanation

Choose whole, undamaged fruit and vegetables.

Wash under running water, and peel when appropriate.

Cooked vegetables are especially safe during neutropenia.

03Scientific explanation

Washing: FoodSafety.gov advises washing fruit and vegetables under running water, scrubbing firm skins with a brush and not using soap.

Interactions: according to the US FDA, grapefruit juice can change blood levels of some medicines.

04What happens in the body?

Seasonal fruit

Pomegranates, persimmons, quinces, apples, pears, grapes and figs are a good choice when whole and fresh. Wash thin-skinned fruit especially carefully; berries are hard to clean.

Vegetables

Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, potatoes, carrots, cabbage. Cooked vegetable dishes — aubergine dolma, ajapsandal, vegetable soups — are especially convenient during neutropenia.

On a dark navy background, aubergine, tomatoes and peppers stewing in a pot.
Figure 3.Cooked vegetable dishes are especially safe.

Washing and storing

Wash your hands, rinse produce under running water, and use a clean knife and board. Do not keep cut fruit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

On a dark navy background, apples and pears rinsed under a stream of water, a clean brush beside them.
Figure 2.Wash fruit under running water.

05Eating fruit safely

From market to plate.

Choose — Whole, undamaged.1ChooseWhole, undamaged.
Wash — Under running water.2WashUnder running water.
Peel — With a clean knife.3PeelWith a clean knife.
Eat — At once, or cooked.4EatAt once, or cooked.
VitaminsSupport for the body.
SafetyFewer germs.
FlavourSeasonal fruit stays.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Seasonal fruitPomegranates, persimmons, quinces, apples, pears, grapes and figs are a good choice when whole and fresh. Wash thin-skinned fruit especially carefully; berries are hard to clean.
VegetablesTomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, potatoes, carrots, cabbage. Cooked vegetable dishes — aubergine dolma, ajapsandal, vegetable soups — are especially convenient during neutropenia.
Washing and storingWash your hands, rinse produce under running water, and use a clean knife and board. Do not keep cut fruit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

07Key terms

Fibre
A plant substance that aids digestion.
Interaction
Food changing how a medicine works.
Ajapsandal
Stewed aubergine, tomato and pepper.
Berries
Small fruits such as raspberries and strawberries.

08Key points

  • Whole, undamaged produce.
  • Wash under running water.
  • Cooked vegetables are safe.
  • Ask your doctor about grapefruit.
  • Do not leave cut fruit out.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I eat pomegranate?

Often yes, but ask your doctor about possible interactions with your medicines.

Is market fruit dangerous?

Well-washed whole fruit is usually fine. Avoid fruit sold already cut.

Can I eat dried fruit?

Ask your team about packaged, cleanly stored dried fruit.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I eat pomegranate?

  2. Is market fruit dangerous?

  3. Can I eat dried fruit?

My questions

12Sources

  1. FoodSafety.gov (U.S.). Food Safety for People with Cancer
  2. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don’t Mix
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  5. GOV.UK. NHS entitlements: migrant health guide
  6. Macmillan Cancer Support. Official website
  7. NHS. Hospitals
  8. GOV.UK. Overseas NHS visitors: implementing the charging regulations
  9. GOV.UK (Department of Health and Social Care). The NHS Constitution for England
  10. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Leukemia — Patient Version
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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