Can a vegan diet really reduce the risk of cancer? Here’s what the research says

Plant-based foods are becoming increasingly popular, there’s no doubt about that. In the US, 2020 research found that approximately 23 percent of American consumers have tried vegan meat products before. And the same year, another report found that a whopping 94 percent of Americans are willing to increase their consumption of plant-based foods.

Many of these people are driven by environmental concerns (animal agriculture is a major driver of emissions and deforestation), while some are concerned about animal welfare (billions of animals are kept in factory farms around the world). But others are increasing their intake of plant-based foods because of the potential health benefits.

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Many believe that following a primarily plant-based diet can reduce the risk of developing diseases, including certain types of cancer. And there is certainly a growing body of research that supports this line of thinking. But it’s important to note that food is not a cure for cancer. And there’s no guarantee that just because you eat a certain way you won’t get cancer. But that said, Australian dietitian and food and nutrition doctor Shy Vishnumohan, Ph.D., told VegNews that a plant-based diet can be a “valuable component” in reducing the chance of developing some types of cancer.

“Switching to a plant-based diet may be a wise choice to reduce the risk of certain cancers,” she explains. “However, it is important to keep in mind that multiple factors contribute to cancer risk, including genetics, lifestyle habits and environmental factors.”

“It’s just part of a bigger picture of wellness. Life is like a deck of cards – while there is no silver bullet that guarantees 100 percent immunity, making healthy food choices that are plant-forward can be powerful and stack the deck in our favor,” Vishnumohan added.

But which cancers can be affected by following a plant-based diet? We looked at some of the research and it consistently shows three types: prostate, colorectal and breast. Here we take a closer look at some of the research on each of them.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system that produces seminal fluid for sperm. According to the American Cancer Society, current research suggests that approximately one in eight people with male reproductive organs will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. On average, this diagnosis occurs around the age of 66.

Again, there is currently no way to completely guarantee prostate cancer prevention, but in general, research suggests that exercise and following a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables (such as whole food, plant-based diets) can help reduce the chance to reduce prostate cancer. risk.

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One study, published in the Journal of Urology in 2021, studied more than 47,200 men for up to 28 years and found that higher consumption of plant-based foods was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer in people with a male reproductive system under the age of 65. However, fewer than one percent of study participants were found to be following a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, so researchers could not estimate the risk in those who did not eat animal products.

Another study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2022, it emerged that regular consumption of cow’s milk could mean a 60 percent higher risk of developing prostate cancer. According to the researchers, who evaluated more than 28,700 Seventh-day Adventists for the study over five years, this could be because prostate cancer is hormone sensitive, and there are obviously hormones in cow’s milk.

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While lead researcher Gary Fraser noted that more research is needed to demonstrate a definitive link between dairy consumption and an increased risk of cancer, he also said that “our findings add important weight to other evidence linking dairy products, rather than of non-dairy calcium, as a modifiable agent. risk factor for prostate cancer.”

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that starts in the colon or rectum and may also be called colon cancer, rectal cancer, or colon 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 one in 23 for people with a male reproductive system and about one in 26 for people with a female reproductive system.

According to Anne Kennard, DO, FACOG, “Colorectal cancer risk can be profoundly influenced by diet,” and there is a lot of evidence to support this. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified bacon, sausage and other cured and processed meats as group 1 carcinogens,” she explained to VegNews. “This 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 probably carcinogenic to humans,” she added. “Additionally, the Global Burden of Disease Project has estimated that diets high in red meat could be responsible for 50,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide.”

In 2022, another study from Tufts University and Harvard University strongly linked processed meat consumption to colorectal cancer. “Processed meat, most of which falls into the ultra-processed food category, is 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 sugars and low in fiber, which contributes to weight gain and obesity, and obesity is an established risk factor for colorectal cancer,” she continued.

Quorn

More recently, in February 2023, research also suggested that fungal-based vegan meat (like that from the Quorn brand, for example) could actually help keep colon cancer at bay. To reach this conclusion, the study authors examined the urine and stool samples of twenty adult men between the ages of 18 and 50, once after they had eaten red and processed meat, and then again when they had switched to vegan fungus-based meat. .

“The study showed that this dietary change produces a significant reduction in genotoxicity and an increase in beneficial gut microbes,” said lead researcher Daniel Commane, PhD. “Our findings therefore suggest that this fiber-rich protein source offers a good alternative to meat in the context of intestinal health and could help reduce the risk of colon cancer in the long term.”

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the breast. It is most common in cisgender women, but cisgender men, transgender women, and non-binary people can also suffer from it. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer accounts for about one in three cancer cases in women, and most commonly affects people over the age of 45 (but a small number of people still develop breast cancer before this age).

Again, as with all types of this disease, there is no miracle behavior that will prevent you from being diagnosed with breast cancer. But limiting alcohol consumption, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet are some behaviors that can help reduce your risk. “A plant-based diet may reduce the incidence of breast cancer, the most common cancer diagnosis in women,” says Kennard. “With benefits specifically listed for diets including vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes.”

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And there is research to support this. For example, in 2022, a study suggested that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women by 14 percent. To reach their conclusions, the researchers (from Paris-Saclay University) followed more than 65,000 postmenopausal people in France and their diets for more than 20 years.

“These findings highlight that increasing consumption of healthy plant foods and decreasing consumption of less healthy plant and animal foods can help prevent all types of breast cancer,” Sanam Shah, the study’s lead author, said in a statement.