Fruit and veg can prevent cancer

A diet rich in plant foods and the maintenance of a healthy body weight could prevent four million cases of cancer worldwide, conclude two reports, one by the World Cancer Research Fund, and the other by the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy in the UK.

Both reports emphasize the importance of increasing intake of fibre and of fruits and vegetables to five or more servings daily. Both also recommend a reduction in daily red and processed meat consumption to less than 80-90 g the equivalent of two rashers of bacon or a ham sandwich.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Ian Johnson of the Institute of Food Research says that the evidence for the protective effects of fruit and vegetables is very strong and that "evidence for the protective effects of diet on cancer is much stronger than that of the adverse effects" (BMJ, 1997; 315: 831).

For more information see WDDTY's Cancer Handbook.