More fibre, less cancer: fruit and vegetables reduce the risk of onset
Published on 5/3/2013
The risk of developing cancer can be reduced. So says research conducted by the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (Epic), a body of the World Health Organization that studies the relationship between cancer and diet.
Fruit and vegetables are good not only for fighting excess weight, but also against disease. Following a sample of 470,000 people, the team of international researchers established that a diet rich in fibre and low in sugar coincides with a lower risk of developing liver cancer. (Annals of oncology)
The study recognises and describes eating habits as contributing causes of diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma, alongside the universally recognised causes such as liver infections or prolonged exposure to toxic substances. From this point of view, the study highlights how fibre consumption appears to have a protective power. For other cancers, including common ones such as colon cancer or breast cancer, this relationship already appeared to be proven.
Compared with plant fibre, in fact, sugars have negative effects linked to the onset of many cancers, because refined carbohydrates stimulate the production of insulin, which affects cell growth, the EPIC study reveals. These growth factors end up promoting the proliferation of cancer cells. In the case of the liver the mechanism is even easier to understand, because the insulin produced by the pancreas reaches the liver directly and in large quantities".
The best diet, therefore, is one rich in vegetables, whole grains and fruit, which among other things also provides good protection against cardiovascular risk. These foods are also filling and thus help avoid weight gain. They also have metabolic and hormonal effects that promote the maintenance of good health.