Vegetarian diet shows protective effect against cancer

Vegetarians are less likely to get five types of cancer - large study

Vegetarians have up to a third lower risk of developing five types of cancer compared to people who regularly eat meat. These conclusions were reached by researchers at the University of Oxford in the largest analysis of dietary patterns to date.

Scope of the study

The researchers analysed data from 1.8 million people, mostly from the UK and the US, who were followed for two decades.

The study, published in British Journal of Cancer, was the first to quantify the impact of different types of food on the risks of 17 types of cancer.

What types of cancer are at lower risk

Compared to meat eaters, vegetarians were found to have lower risks:

• pancreatic cancer - for 21%

• breast cancer - by 9%

• prostate cancer - by 12%

• kidney cancer - by 28%

• multiple myeloma - on 31%

Scientists suggest that the key factor may be the rejection of meat, especially processed meat.

Why meat can increase risks

Author of the study, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Oxford Tim Kay, noted that the difference cannot be explained by the «healthier lifestyle» of vegetarians alone.

Among the possible reasons:

• chemical changes during meat cooking;

• formation of compounds that damage the DNA of cells;

• Nitrates in processed meat (bacon, ham, salami).

Researchers advise building a diet around whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables and minimising processed meat.

Not all results are positive

At the same time, the study also revealed increased risks for some groups.

In particular:

• vegetarians were almost twice as likely to have one of the types of oesophageal cancer;

• vegans showed a higher risk of bowel cancer.

The likely cause is a lower intake of calcium and vitamin B12, which may have a protective role.

What it means

Experts emphasise that a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, but it is important to monitor the balance of nutrients.

The researchers emphasise that more work is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the differences.