14 DAY TRIAL // An Oxford University scientist carried out a review which concluded that there is not any credible evidence that eating more fruits and vegetables, reduces the risks of developing cancer, even if they are important elements of a healthy diet.
Professor Tim Key of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University analyzed ten years of evidence on the relationship between fruits and vegetables and cancer development.
The Professor said that eating fruits and vegetables is indeed a very healthy habit, but one which does not exclude the development of cancer.
On the other hand, the factors that are connected to the disease, are excessive body weight, obesity and alcohol consumption over the recommended daily limits.
“Fruit and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet and a good source of nutrients,” Key said.
“But so far the data does not prove that eating increased amounts of fruit and vegetables offers much protection against cancer.
“But there’s strong scientific evidence to show that, after smoking, being overweight and alcohol are two of the biggest cancer risks.”
The only diet-related factors that definitely affect cancer risk remain obesity and alcohol, while tobacco is still the single biggest cause of cancer.
“Too few people know about the significant cancer risks associated with obesity and drinking too much alcohol,” said Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK.
“While stopping smoking remains the best way to cut your chances of developing cancer, the importance of keeping a healthy weight and cutting down on alcohol shouldn’t be overlooked.”
Excessive weight causes people to produce higher levels of some hormones, which can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Also, being overweight rises the risk for other common cancers like bowel cancer, and even other, more difficult to treat forms of the disease, like pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer and kidney cancer.
As for alcohol, when it's broken down by the body, it produces a chemical that can damage the cells, increasing the risks for mouth, throat, breast, bowel and liver cancers.
Sara Hiom said that “keeping alcohol intake to a maximum of one small drink a day for women and two small drinks per day for men and keeping weight within the healthy limits can have an enormous impact.”
This review was published in the British Journal of Cancer.