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Cancer research

Vegetarian Diet Significantly Reduces Cancer Risk

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A large-scale study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this month has found that a vegetarian diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. The research, conducted by the Loma Linda University Department of Research Affairs, examined the health data of 79,468 Seventh-day Adventists in the US and Canada between 2002 and 2007, with follow-up through 2015. The study discovered that a vegetarian diet can lower the risk of stomach cancers by 45 per cent, lymphomas by 25 per cent, and colorectal cancer by 21 per cent. Additionally, the study found that vegetarians tend to be leaner, drink less alcohol, smoke less, and exercise slightly more than meat-eaters, contributing to their reduced cancer risk.

Key Takeaways:

  • A vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of developing stomach cancers by up to 45 per cent.
  • A vegetarian diet can lower the risk of lymphomas by 25 per cent.
  • Vegetarians have a 12 per cent lower overall risk of developing any type of cancer than meat-eaters.
  • The study found that vegetarians tend to be leaner, drink less alcohol, smoke less, and exercise slightly more.
  • Vegetarian diets offer major risk reduction of colorectal and stomach cancers, and a reduced risk of lymphomas.
  • The risk of colorectal cancer was reduced by approximately 20 per cent with a vegetarian diet.
  • Vegan diets also offer solid evidence confirming lower risks of common breast and prostate cancers (by about 25 per cent).
  • The study considered other factors, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking, and exercise habits, which can influence cancer risk.

Statistics:

  • 79,468 Seventh-day Adventists were included in the study.
  • The study examined health data from 2002 to 2015.
  • 45 percent reduction in stomach cancer risk with a vegetarian diet.
  • 25 per cent reduction in lymphoma risk with a vegetarian diet.
  • 21 per cent reduction in colorectal cancer risk with a vegetarian diet.
  • 20 per cent reduction in colorectal cancer risk with a vegetarian diet.
  • 25 per cent lower breast and prostate cancer risk with a vegan diet.

Sources:

  • American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Loma Linda University Department of Research Affairs

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