07 April 2010
The potential of fruit and vegetables to reduce the risk of cancer is only very weak, according to a new study.
The new study analyzed data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), the largest trial on diet and cancer including 142,605 men and 335,873 women (1). The participants were followed for an average of about nine years, during which time over 30,000 cases of cancer were diagnosed. The results showed that for every 200 grams (about two servings) of total fruits and vegetables eaten per day, the incidence of cancer was reduced by only 4 percent.
Multiple lines of evidence indicate that ionizing radiation and some other risk factors for cancer can operate primarily in childhood and early adult life; thus, antioxidants or other protective constituents of fruits and vegetables may need to be present at that time to be effective, the researcher commented. Like EPIC, almost all studies of diet and cancer have missed such effects because they started decades later in life, he wrote.
However, recommendations and actions to increase intake of fruits and vegetables have a sound basis with many studies reporting cardiovascular benefits, experts commented. It would still be a good idea to eat ‘five-a-day’ but it should be remembered that fruits and vegetables are pieces in a much larger lifestyle jigsaw. Things to lower chances of developing cancer include not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol, eating a healthy balanced diet, being physically active and avoinding excess exposure to the sun.
1 October 2011
Embryonic and fetal development, as well as the early life of a newborn, are periods of physiological plasticity during which environmental influences may produce long-term effects. Both undernutrition and overnutrition during these periods have been shown to change disease risk in adulthood. These effects are influenced by the type, timing and duration of inappropriate nutrition.
4 March 2013
A new international study says that children from families that encourage fruit and vegetable consumption are more likely to report eating fruits and vegetables each day, particularly where free school lunch is not provided.
21 February 2019
Apart from the famous omega-3s, there are other odd fatty acids, each with their own health properties. The odd omegas are not considered to be essential fatty acids like the long chain omega-3s and 6s yet may still have important benefits, including heart health benefits. See what is going on with the odd omegas.
