Do fruit and veggies lower colorectal cancer risk?
It’s controversial.
Now, researchers at Imperial College, in London, UK, have reviewed the evidence.
First, the details.
- 19 studies with statistical evaluation of the colorectal cancer risk associated with fruit and vegetable intake were included.
And, the results.
- The relative risk for colorectal cancer for fruits and vegetables was lower with higher intake.
- For fruits alone, the risk was lowest with the highest intake, with most of the risk reduction occurring when low intake increased to about 100 grams per day.
- High vegetable intake also offered significant protection; however, the benefits were restricted to colon cancer, with the greatest reduction when intake increased to about 100 grams per day.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “There is a weak but statistically significant nonlinear inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and colorectal cancer risk.”
Not to oversimplify, but eat more fruits and veggies.
8/28/11 20:35 JR