Vegetables do not prevent cancer as strongly as we think

Fruits and vegetables have certain effects in preventing cancer but are not as strong as we think, a recent study in the United States indicates.

Eating 200g of fruits and vegetables a day (equivalent to 2 servings) only helps reduce the risk of cancer by 3%, an indicator that is considered "very weak", according to research published in the online journal of the National Cancer Institute. American family.

'This does not mean that vegetables and fruits are not important. They are not the only factor that can prevent cancer and there are no unique factors , 'said the team leader, TS. Paolo Boffetta, director of the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sanai School of Medicine, said.

The World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society all encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day to prevent cancer. American nutrition chart indicates: eating 1.5-2 toads with fruits and 2.5-3 cups of vegetables for adults.

Scientists believe that fruits and vegetables contain anticancer agents, affect enzymes, immune systems and hormone levels in the body.

From 1992-2000, Mr. Boffetta and 51 authors reported on the nutritional habits and lifestyles of 478,478 people living in 10 countries in western Europe. Volunteers answered questions regarding drug use, physical activity, smoking and drinking and eating habits. 8 years later, there were more than 30,000 cases of cancer (the rate is about 7 / 1,000)

Researchers have found that people who eat more fruits and vegetables may be at lower risk because they have a healthy lifestyle, 'such as less smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity. more'. And no single element is superior.

Previous studies seem to have "advertised" excessively when saying that the rate of cancer is reduced to 20-30%. Because this latest research shows that the ratio is extremely low.

'Nutrition must always be accompanied by lifestyle. Cancer is a complex disease. It is not caused by a single factor, ' Dr Boffetta stressed.

This study does not contradict the American Cancer Society guidelines for eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day to reduce the risk of cancer. It only confirms that the more you eat, the lower your risk of cancer.

Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, spokesperson for the United States Nutrition Association warns: 'Do not neglect to supplement vegetables in the diet every day for this study. Because it helps maintain weight and blood pressure at a reasonable level, reducing the risk of diabetes or hypoglycemia. These are all health benefits and increase markedly. They also provide soluble and insoluble fiber, minerals, high nutritional value but low calorie intake. '

Research in recent decades has shown that eating more processed red meat increases the risk of intestinal cancer and obesity associated with breast cancer and digestive system.