Plant-Based Diets: Cancer Prevention Superpower?

Plant-based diets are full of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, with little or no meat or other animal products. Research has shown that a plant-based diet is better at reducing cancer risk and helping people live healthier lives after cancer treatment than a ketogenic diet.

Plant-based diets are recommended for cancer prevention, and there is evidence that they can also improve prognosis in cancer survivors. For example, a higher intake of whole grains and fibre is associated with better prognosis in colorectal cancer survivors, while a higher intake of fruit, vegetable and fibre, and a moderate intake of soy/isoflavone are associated with beneficial outcomes in breast cancer survivors.

Plant-based diets are high in phytochemicals, which are chemicals that protect the body from damage and interrupt processes in the body that encourage cancer production. They are also high in fibre, which has been shown to lower the risk of breast and colorectal cancer.

Plant-based diets are also associated with a lower body mass index (BMI), which is important because obesity is a risk factor for several types of cancer.

Plant-based diets are full of fruits, vegetables and legumes, with little or no meat or other animal products

Plant-based diets are full of phytochemicals, chemicals that protect the body from damage and interrupt processes in the body that encourage cancer production. They are also high in fibre, which has been shown to lower the risk of breast and colorectal cancer.

Two of the most helpful phytochemicals are:

• Antioxidants, which protect the body from damage caused by radiation, viruses and exposure to other chemicals.
• Carotenoids, fat-soluble compounds that are highly pigmented and found in many fruits, grains, oils and vegetables. They have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, macular degeneration and cataracts.

Plant-based diets are high in chemicals compounds, called phytochemicals, that protect the body from damage

Plant-based diets are high in phytochemicals, which are plant-based bioactive compounds produced by plants for their protection. Phytochemicals can be derived from various sources such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. Phytochemicals possess strong antioxidant activities and exhibit antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic, antiallergic, antispasmodic, and antiviral activities. They also help to regulate gene transcription, enhance gap junction communication, improve immunity, and provide protection against lung and prostate cancers.

Plant-based diets are high in fibre, which has been shown to lower the risk for breast and colorectal cancer

Observational studies suggest that an increased fibre intake may reduce the risk of breast cancer. A 2018 umbrella review, which is among the highest levels of evidence currently available in medicine, concluded that women consuming the highest amounts of dietary fibre may benefit from a small reduction in the incidence of breast cancer. Scientists have proposed several mechanisms for how fibre in the body could reduce the risk of breast cancer. For example, a high-fibre diet decreases activity in certain intestinal enzymes, leading to less oestrogen being absorbed in the colon. Oestrogen is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer. Dietary fibre can also promote the formation of short-chain fatty acids, which can have a protective effect against breast tumour development.

Fibre has also been shown to lower the risk for colorectal cancer. A large, prospective study within a population-based screening trial suggested that individuals consuming the highest intakes of dietary fibre have reduced risks of incident colorectal adenoma and distal colon cancer. This effect of dietary fibre, particularly from cereals and fruit, may begin early in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Plant-based diets are recommended for cancer prevention, but their role in cancer survival is still uncertain

Plant-Based Diets and Cancer Prevention

Plant-Based Diets and Cancer Risk

Plant-based diets are full of fruits, vegetables, legumes, with little or no meat or other animal products. Research studies show that vegans, who don't eat any animal products, have the lowest rates of cancer of any diet. Vegetarians, who avoid meat but may eat fish or animal products like milk or eggs, have the next lowest rate.

Plant-based foods are full of phytochemicals, chemicals that protect the body from damage and interrupt processes in the body that encourage cancer production. Plant-based diets are also high in fibre, which has been shown to lower the risk for breast and colorectal cancer.

Plant-Based Diets and Cancer Survival

There is indication that higher intake of plant-based foods is associated with improved prognosis in cancer survivors. For colorectal cancer survival, a better prognosis was observed for a high intake of whole grains and fibre. For breast cancer survival, a higher intake of fruit, vegetable and fibre and a moderate intake of soy/isoflavone were associated with beneficial outcomes. A higher vegetable fat intake was related to improved prognosis in prostate cancer survivors.

Plant-Based Diets vs. Ketogenic Diets

A review of studies that examine the relationship between diet and cancer found that a whole foods, plant-based diet is better than a ketogenic diet at reducing cancer risk and helping people live healthier lives after cancer treatment. The review also found that a plant-based diet is superior during cancer treatment.

Plant-Based Diets: What to Eat

A whole foods, plant-based diet means that the majority (at least 80% to 90%) of the food should be unprocessed plant-based foods like legumes, fruits, vegetables, seeds, whole grains, and nuts. Some people may occasionally eat minimal amounts of processed plant foods or animal-based foods like dairy or meat.

A plant-based diet is encouraged for patients with cancer

Plant-based diets are full of fruits, vegetables, legumes, with little or no meat or other animal products. Research shows that a plant-based diet is better than a ketogenic diet at reducing cancer risk and helping people live healthier lives after cancer treatment. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of a plant-based diet for cancer patients and provide tips for shifting to a plant-based diet.

Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet for Cancer Patients

• Reducing cancer risk: Research shows that a plant-based diet is better than a ketogenic diet at reducing cancer risk. Three large studies conducted in the US, UK, and France found that people eating more plants and less animal protein had less cancer overall.
• Improving health after cancer treatment: A plant-based diet can help reduce the risk of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, which cancer patients are more susceptible to.
• Reducing side effects of cancer treatment: Plant-based diets can help with some of the gastrointestinal toxicity from chemotherapy and joint pain from hormonal treatments for breast cancer.
• High in fiber: Plant-based diets are high in natural fiber, which has been shown to reduce cancer risk and moderate insulin levels. Young women who ate the most fiber-rich diets were 25% less likely to get breast cancer later in life.
• High in phytochemicals: Phytochemicals are chemicals compounds that protect the body from damage and interrupt processes in the body that encourage cancer production. Antioxidants and carotenoids are two of the most helpful phytochemicals.
• High in vitamins and minerals: The vitamins and minerals found in plant-based foods have been shown to reduce the risk of several types of cancer. For example, eating 6 oz of whole-grain foods each day may decrease your colorectal cancer risk by 21%.

Shifting to a Plant-Based Diet

• Start with breakfast: Start your day off with a healthy breakfast that includes whole-grain oatmeal, buckwheat, or quinoa, along with fruit.
• Experiment with meatless meals: Try one new meatless recipe per week and embrace "meatless Mondays."
• Use meat as a condiment: Instead of using meat as a main dish, use just a little for flavor.
• Use legumes for bulk: Decrease the amount of meat in recipes by increasing the amount of beans, lentils, or vegetables.
• Fill your plate with fruits and vegetables: Cover about half of your plate with fruits and vegetables for lunch and dinner.
• Choose affordable options: Fresh fruits and vegetables can be expensive, so consider buying frozen fruits and vegetables, which are flash-frozen to preserve nutrients and are less expensive.

Frequently asked questions