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A plant-based diet is a great way to reduce your risk of cancer. Research has shown that good nutrition can prevent almost 25% of all cancer cases. This is because plant-based diets are high in dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants, which all work to boost your immune system, reduce harmful inflammation, balance hormone levels and improve bowel health.
The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends the New American Plate, a balanced approach to eating where vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans make up at least two-thirds of each meal, with the remaining third made up of lean protein like chicken or fish, or plant protein like tofu or beans.
The Mediterranean Diet is a great example of a plant-based diet, and has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cancer risk reduction | Prostate, colorectal, breast |
Plant-based diet definition | Focuses on minimally processed foods of plant origin, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes |
Plant-based diet benefits | Strengthens the immune system, reduces harmful inflammation, balances hormone levels, improves bowel health, helps manage weight |
Plant-based diet and cancer | Plant-based diets are associated with a reduced cancer risk according to the latest report on diet and cancer, released by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research |
Plant-based diet and colorectal cancer | Eating 6 oz of wholegrain foods each day may decrease colorectal cancer risk by 21% |
Plant-based diet and breast cancer | A plant-based diet can decrease the incidence of breast cancer |
What You'll Learn
- A plant-based diet is high in dietary fibre, which can lower the risk of colorectal cancer
- Plant-based diets are rich in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fibre, which can reduce the risk of several types of cancer
- A plant-based diet can help cancer patients better manage treatment-related side effects
- Plant-based diets are high in fibre, which can improve bowel health
- Plant-based diets can help maintain a healthy body weight, which can reduce the risk of 13 types of cancer
A plant-based diet is high in dietary fibre, which can lower the risk of colorectal cancer
The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends the New American Plate, a balanced and nutritious approach to eating. The plan calls for vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans to make up at least two-thirds of each meal, and animal protein to make up the rest. This is essentially a creative and flexible plant-based diet.
Research has shown that a plant-based diet is associated with a reduced cancer risk according to the latest report on diet and cancer, released by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research.
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Plant-based diets are rich in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fibre, which can reduce the risk of several types of cancer
A plant-based diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber, which can reduce the risk of several types of cancer. Phytochemicals are tiny compounds found in plants that offer various health benefits, including strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation.
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that help keep the body in balance and protect against germs and microorganisms. For example, vitamins and antioxidants in plants help keep cells healthy and neutralize toxins from pollution, processed food, and bacteria.
Fiber is present in all unprocessed plant foods and is essential for maintaining a healthy gut and reducing the risk of the third most common cancer, colorectal cancer. Eating plant-based foods improves the health of the gut, making it easier to absorb nutrients that support the immune system and reduce inflammation.
In addition to reducing the risk of cancer, a plant-based diet has been shown to reduce the risk of other diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some mental illnesses.
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A plant-based diet can help cancer patients better manage treatment-related side effects
A plant-based diet is a creative and flexible approach to eating, focusing on fiber, vitamins, and other natural substances, such as phytochemicals, to promote good health. It is a filling, balanced, and nutritious approach to eating. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends the New American Plate, which calls for vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans to make up at least two-thirds of each meal, and animal protein to make up the rest.
Transitioning to a plant-based diet can help improve bowel health, which is a sign of good gut health, which in turn lowers the risk of heart disease, obesity, and other conditions that make you sick and more likely to get cancer. A plant-based diet can also help manage weight, which is one of the most important things to do to reduce the risk of cancer.
A plant-based diet can also help cancer patients manage treatment-related side effects such as nausea and weight loss. It is important to note that a plant-based diet does not have to be vegetarian or vegan, and can include small amounts of meat or other animal-based food products.
The AICR and American Cancer Society recommend plant-forward diets that have less red meat, fewer added sugars, and fewer processed foods than the typical American diet. Evidence suggests that a healthy diet may reduce the risk of dying from cancer, while an unhealthy Western dietary pattern is positively associated with the risk of overall mortality among cancer survivors.
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Plant-based diets are high in fibre, which can improve bowel health
Fibre is Present in All Unprocessed Plant Foods
Fibre is present in all unprocessed plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. It is an essential part of a healthy diet and offers a range of benefits for the body.
Fibre Improves the Health of the Gut
Fibre improves the health of the gut by increasing the weight and size of stools, making them softer and easier to pass. This promotes good gut health, which, in turn, lowers the risk of heart disease, obesity, and other conditions. A healthy gut is crucial for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer type.
Fibre Helps with Weight Management
Plant-based diets are also beneficial for weight management. Fibre-rich foods help with weight loss by promoting a feeling of fullness and reducing the absorption of calories. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for reducing the risk of cancer, as excess weight can cause inflammation and hormonal imbalances that increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
Fibre Has Additional Health Benefits
In addition to improving bowel health and aiding in weight management, fibre offers a range of other health benefits. It can lower cholesterol and stabilise blood sugar levels, contributing to overall improved health.
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Plant-based diets can help maintain a healthy body weight, which can reduce the risk of 13 types of cancer
A plant-based diet can help maintain a healthy body weight, which can reduce the risk of 13 types of cancer.
Eating a plant-based diet doesn't mean you can't eat meat. It means that your meals are mostly plants: whole grains, fruits, beans, seeds, and nuts. The remaining one-third of your plate should be a lean protein like chicken or fish, or a plant protein like tofu or beans.
Staying at a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. When it comes to cancer, the only thing more important than maintaining a healthy weight is not smoking. This is because excess weight causes inflammation and hormonal imbalance, increasing the risk of 12 different types of cancer, including post-menopausal breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cancer of the kidney, pancreas, gallbladder, oesophagus, ovaries, endometrium, and thyroid.
If you eat mostly plants, you remove many of the foods that lead to weight gain. Add in some exercise, and you're on a path towards weight loss.
Plants are high in fibre, which is present in all unprocessed plant foods. Fibre improves the health of your gut so that you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fibre can also lower cholesterol and stabilise blood sugar, and it's great for good bowel management.
Fibre is very important for reducing your cancer risk, especially for colorectal cancer, which is the third most common cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
A plant-based diet focuses on minimally processed foods of plant origin, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. It does not necessarily need to be vegetarian or vegan, but the majority of the diet should come from these foods.
The nutrients found in plant-based foods, including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber, have been shown to reduce the risk of several types of cancer. Eating 6 oz of whole-grain foods each day may decrease colorectal cancer risk by 21%.
A plant-based diet may help cancer patients better manage treatment-related side effects and help them stay strong during their recovery. It can also help reduce the risk of dying from cancer.