Vegetarian Diets Are Associated With Lower Cancer Risk

A new large-scale study (using data from the Adventist Health Study-2 cohort) tracked nearly 80,000 people for eight years, and the ones filling their plates with plants reduced their risk of cancer at rates (compared to non-vegetarians) that should make every person pay attention.

Study participants were grouped into 5 dietary categories based on food choices:

• Vegans (strict vegetarians) - who avoided eating animal flesh (meat or fish) and all products derived from animals including dairy and eggs.

• Lacto-ovo-vegetarians - who consumed dairy and/or eggs but no animal flesh (meat or fish).

• Pesco-vegetarians - similar to lacto-ovo-vegetarians but included some fish in their diet.

• Semi-vegetarians - who ate animal flesh (meat or fish) less than once a week.

• Non-vegetarians - who consumed animal flesh (meat or fish) at least once a week.

For this study, vegetarians were defined as those in the first 3 categories, and results for semi-vegetarians were not presented due to their insignificant numbers and unclear classification as vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

Results of this study showed that vegetarians cut their overall cancer risk by 12%. Vegans saw the greatest cut, with up to a 24% lower overall cancer risk.

The vegetarian diet protection was seen across the board, but some of the strongest associations were found for specific cancer types:

• Stomach cancer hit the heavy plant-eaters 45% less

• Lymphoma risk was reduced by 25%

• Lymphoproliferative cancers risk overall were lowered by 25% (likely related to how plant-heavy diets strengthen the immune system)

• Colorectal cancer dropped by 21%.

The study also found that vegetarians had an 18% lower risk for medium-frequency cancers, such as melanoma, thyroid, and pancreatic cancers. Research on less common cancers is still limited, even in other large studies. But the findings from this study suggest that including more plant-nourishing foods in your diet can lead to better health.

This research reinforces what many other studies have suggested - that what you eat every single day can be a practical and effective way to support your health and lower your risk of certain cancers. And this is something you can control 2-3 times before the sun goes down. As the study's authors note, diet is part of a holistic approach that includes staying active, getting enough sleep, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol. Cancer kills more people than wars do, and here's proof that what grows from the ground can fight what grows wrong in your body.