Vegetarian Diets Linked to Lower Cancer Risk, Study Suggests

Strategic Insights -

A recent study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that individuals who follow plant-based diets have a lower risk of developing certain cancers compared to meat-eaters. The research, which tracked nearly 80,000 members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, discovered that vegetarians had a 12% lower risk of developing cancer overall. The study also found significant reductions in risk for specific types of cancer, including colorectal, stomach, and lymphoproliferative cancers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vegetarians had a 12% lower risk of developing cancer overall compared to meat-eaters.
  • Vegans had the largest overall reduction in cancer risk, with a 24% lower risk than meat-eaters.
  • Vegetarians who eat dairy and eggs showed protection against some blood cancers.
  • Those who eat fish but no other meat had notably fewer colorectal cancers.
  • The study found significant reductions in risk for colorectal cancer (21% lower), stomach cancer (45% lower), and lymphoproliferative cancers (25% lower).
  • The researchers controlled for factors such as body weight, smoking, drinking, exercise, and education level, but the exact causation between diet and cancer outcomes is still unclear.
  • The study included over 78,000 participants, with an average follow-up period of almost eight years.

Statistics:

  • 80,000 individuals participated in the study.
  • The study had an average follow-up period of 7.6 years (± 0.6 years) [1].
  • Vegetarians had a 12% lower risk of developing cancer overall.
  • Vegans had a 24% lower risk of developing cancer compared to meat-eaters.
  • Vegetarians who eat dairy and eggs showed a 12% lower risk of blood cancers compared to meat-eaters.
  • Those who eat fish but no other meat had a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer.

Sources:

  • [1] Research article: "Plant-based diets and cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis" (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) [online: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab278]
  • [2] Quote from Dr. Tilman Kuhn: "The results in breast and prostate cancer were the most surprising given that other studies have not suggested a strong role for animal products or other dietary risk factors."