Plant-based foods are growing in popularity; there is no doubt about it. Research conducted in the United States in 2020 revealed that approximately 23 percent of US consumers had tried vegan meat products before. A different report that same year found that 94 percent of Americans were willing to increase their consumption of plant-based foods.
While many of these people are motivated by environmental concerns (animal agriculture is a big cause of emissions and deforestation), some are also concerned about animal welfare (billions of animals are raised in factories around the world). But others are increasing their intake of plant-based foods because of their potential health benefits.
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Many people believe that eating a predominantly whole-food, plant-based diet can reduce the risk of diseases, including certain types of cancer. And there is certainly a growing body of research that supports this notion. However, it should not be forgotten that food is not a cure for cancer. And there’s no guarantee that you won’t get cancer just because you eat a certain way. But that said, Australian dietitian and food and nutrition doctor Ph.D. Shy Vishnumohan, MD, told VegNews that a plant-based diet may be a “valuable component” in reducing the likelihood of developing some types of cancer.
“Switching to a plant-based diet may be a smart choice to reduce the risk of some types of cancer,” he explained. “But it’s important to keep in mind that many factors contribute to cancer risk, including genetics, lifestyle habits and environmental factors.”
“This is just one part of a bigger wellness picture. Life is like a deck of cards; While there is no magic bullet that will guarantee 100 per cent immunity, making healthy food choices going forward can be powerful and tip the deck in our favour,” added Vishnumohan.
So which cancers may be affected by following a plant-based diet? We looked at some research and found that three types consistently emerge: prostate, colorectal, and breast. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some studies on each.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system and produces seminal fluid for sperm. According to the American Cancer Society, current research suggests that approximately one in eight people with male reproductive systems will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. On average, this diagnosis occurs around age 66.
Again, there is currently no way to completely guarantee prostate cancer prevention, but in general, research shows that exercising and following a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables (such as a whole-food, plant-based diet) may help reduce prostate cancer. risk.
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A study published in the journal Journal of Urology in 2021, It studied more than 47,200 men for up to 28 years and found that greater consumption of plant-based foods was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer in people with male reproductive tracts under the age of 65. However, less than one percent of study participants used less than one percent. Because they followed a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, the researchers were not able to assess the risk in those who consumed zero animal products.
Another published study American Journal of Clinical Nutrition It found that regular consumption of cow’s milk could mean a 60 per cent higher risk of developing prostate cancer in 2022. This may be because prostate cancer is sensitive to hormones, and of course cow’s milk also contains hormones, according to the researchers, who evaluated more than 28,700 Seventh-day Adventists over five years for the study.
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While lead researcher Gary Fraser said further research was needed to prove a definitive link between dairy consumption and increased cancer risk, he also said: “Our findings add significant weight to other evidence linking dairy rather than non-dairy calcium as a modifiable factor.” adds.” “Risk factor for prostate cancer.”
colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that begins in the colon or rectum and may also be called colon cancer, rectal cancer or bowel cancer depending on its origin. The risk of colorectal cancer is the same for everyone, regardless of gender. According to the American Cancer Society, the risk is about 1 in 23 for people with male reproductive systems and about 1 in 26 for people with female reproductive systems.
According to Anne Kennard, DO, FACOG, “colorectal cancer risk can be significantly affected by nutrition,” and there is plenty of evidence to support this. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed bacon, sausage, and other cured and processed meats as group 1 carcinogens,” he told VegNews. “That puts them in the same category as tobacco and asbestos.”
“The WHO has also placed fresh red meat in the group 2A category, indicating that it is possibly carcinogenic to humans,” he added. “Additionally, the Global Burden of Disease Project estimates that diets rich in red meat may be responsible for 50,000 cancer deaths annually worldwide.”
Another study from Tufts University and Harvard University in 2022 strongly linked processed meat consumption to colorectal cancer. “Processed meats, most of which fall into the category of ultra-processed foods, are a strong risk factor for colorectal cancer,” Lu Wang, the study’s lead author, said in a statement.
“Ultra-processed foods are also high in added sugar and low in fiber, which contributes to weight gain and obesity, and obesity is an established risk factor for colorectal cancer,” he continued.
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More recently, a February 2023 study suggested that mushroom-based vegan meat (such as Quorn brand meat) may actually help keep colorectal cancer at bay. To come to this conclusion, the study’s authors examined urine and stool samples from 20 adult men, ages 18 to 50, when they first consumed red and processed meat and then consumed mushroom-based vegan meat. .
“The study showed that this dietary change resulted in a significant reduction in genotoxicity and an increase in beneficial gut microbes,” said lead investigator Daniel Commane, PhD. “Our findings suggest that this high-fibre protein source provides a good alternative to meat for gut health and may help reduce the long-term risk of bowel cancer.”
breast cancer
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It is most common in cisgender women, but cisgender men, transgender women, and nonbinary people can also suffer from it. According to the American Cancer Society, it is responsible for about one-third of women’s cancers and usually affects people over the age of 45 (though a small number of people develop breast cancer before that age).
Again, as with all types of this disease, there is no miracle that guarantees that you will not be diagnosed with breast cancer. But limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet are some behaviors that can help reduce the risk. “A plant-based diet may reduce the incidence of breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosis in women,” says Kennard. “Benefits specifically cited for diets including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.”
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And there is research to back this up. For example, a 2022 study suggested that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables could help reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women by 14 percent. Researchers from the University of Paris-Saclay tracked more than 65,000 postmenopausal people in France and their diets for more than 20 years to reach their conclusions.
“These findings highlight that increasing consumption of healthy plant foods and reducing consumption of less healthy plant and animal foods may help prevent all types of breast cancer,” Sanam Shah, lead author of the study, said in a statement.
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Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on the south coast of England.