Although there are certain foods that can potentially cause cancer as well as foods to avoid if cancer runs in the familynow it turns out Eating a low-meat diet or a totally meat-free diet may lower your risk of cancer.According to a recent study published in the BMC Medicine daily.
Researchers from the University of Oxford analyzed data collected between 2006 and 2010 by the UK Biobank. The information came from more than 472,000 adults who were between the ages of 40 and 70 at the time.
By looking at how many participants ate meat and fish, the researchers compared that to cancer cases and also took other health and lifestyle factors into consideration. They found that eating meat five times a week or less often resulted in a lower risk of cancer.
What Eurek alert! notes, “Overall cancer risk was 2 percent lower among those who ate meat five or fewer times per week, 10 percent lower among those who ate fish but no meat, and 14 percent lower among vegetarians and vegans, compared to those who ate meat more than five times a week.
“There is substantial evidence that has been amassed over the years to support that a diet low in meat or meatless diet reduces the overall risk of not only cancer, but also heart disease, diabetes and other comorbidities,” Marissa Perrotta RDNowner of Plantable nutrition and wellnessit says Eat this, not that!.
“Meat contains certain carcinogens that can increase the risk of cancer,” says Perrotta, adding that “in general, meat and animal products are higher in saturated fat and cholesterolthen “when meat is the main focus of a diet, the risk of heart disease and increase other associated health risks. While a diet rich in meat and animal products is not the cause of cancer, it may increase your risk if you have a family history of cancer and underlying comorbidities.”
If you reduce the amount of meat in your diet, you will likely eat more plant-based foods as well.
“TO plant-rich diet (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes) is associated with lower risks of cancer and comorbidities because plants contain a variety of antioxidants and phytochemicals that help protect you from free radicals (agents that increase cancer risk),” says Perrotta. .
For more information on why you might want to eat less meat, be sure to read 6 reasons why you should stop eating meat right now.
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