Does being a vegetarian lower your risk of cancer? | WCRF International (2024)

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Does being a vegetarian lower your risk of cancer? | WCRF International? ›

Can becoming vegetarian or vegan help lower your cancer risk? While no diet choice will guarantee that you won't develop cancer, cutting meat can help you lower your cancer risk. The American Institute for Cancer Research promotes a plant-based diet. Two-thirds or more of your plate should be plant-based foods.

Can becoming vegetarian or vegan help lower your cancer risk? While no diet choice will guarantee that you won't develop cancer, cutting meat can help you lower your cancer risk. The American Institute for Cancer Research promotes a plant-based diet. Two-thirds or more of your plate should be plant-based foods.

Vegetarian diets were also linked to a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. In addition, plant-based diets were associated with a reduction in risk factors for heart disease and cancer, including high body weight, inflammation and LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

They found that vegetarians and vegans had a 14% lower overall cancer risk, compared to people who ate meat nearly every day (more than five times a week, on average).

A global shift to vegetarianism could potentially feed the world more sustainably and healthily. The environmental benefits of reduced meat production, combined with the health advantages of a well-balanced vegetarian diet, make a compelling case.

"Cancer-fighting foods"

The list is usually topped with berries, broccoli, tomatoes, walnuts, grapes and other vegetables, fruits and nuts. "If you look at the typical foods that reduce cancer risk, it's pretty much all plant foods that contain phytochemicals," says Wohlford.

Some of the best nutrition for preventing cancer and for generally living healthy can be found in the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes natural and plant-based foods. Think more fruits, vegetables, nuts and lean protein, and less red meat and pre-packaged foods.

A vegetarian diet can be healthy and safe for people with cancer as long as it follows some safety principles: Finding protein alternatives - Replace meat, poultry and fish with other sources of protein. It is not enough to just stop eating certain food items.

Michael Orlich , Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine: In our study, the vegetarians compared to the non-vegetarians do have a lower risk of chronic disease, a lower risk of high blood pressure, lower risk of high cholesterol, a lower risk of diabetes and are less obese and a lower risk of dying from heart ...

Following a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But some vegetarian diets may rely too heavily on processed foods with too many calories, and too much sugar, fat and salt. These diets may not include enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nutrient-rich foods.

Is cancer linked to meat? ›

Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen which means it probably causes cancer.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a large U.S. study found that men following a vegan or strictly plant-based diet were 35 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer. However, only men who followed a strict vegan diet experienced these improved outcomes.

Recent studies published in the journal Cancer Science have disproved the common myth that consumption of red meat increases colorectal cancer risk.

Humans have evolved to be omnivorous, eating both animals and plants for survival. However, this evolutionary fact doesn't mean that you have to eat meat.

A team of researchers at Loma Linda University in the United States has shown vegetarian men live for an average of 10 years longer than non-vegetarian men — 83 years compared to 73 years. For women, being vegetarian added an extra 6 years to their lives, helping them reach 85 years on average.

Health benefits of a vegetarian diet

A well-balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can provide many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including: obesity. coronary heart disease. hypertension (high blood pressure)

Asian individuals had the lowest cancer death rates across age groups. Compared with Asian individuals, total cancer death rates were 39% higher in NHPI men and 73% higher in NHPI women. Conclusions: There were striking racial and ethnic disparities in cancer death rates during 2018-2020.

Following a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But some vegetarian diets may rely too heavily on processed foods with too many calories, and too much sugar, fat and salt. These diets may not include enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nutrient-rich foods.

As a result, they're likely to have lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower body mass index (BMI), all of which are associated with longevity and a reduced risk for many chronic diseases. But there still aren't enough data to say exactly how a vegetarian diet influences long-term health.

Unfortunately, plant-based diets cannot reverse colon cancer. However, research suggests that following a plant-based diet may help reduce the risk of developing the cancer. In addition, plant-based diets tend to be rich in nutrients, which are important to support the immune system in cancer survivorship.