They find more reasons to follow the Mediterranean diet. According to the last three works carried out by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and the Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP), following the pattern established by this regime, based on consuming fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish, can reduce 16% the chances of developing a malignant tumor of the colon and rectum, as well as reducing the risk of suffering from these cancers.
These investigations, which are part of the ‘European Prospective Study on Nutrition and Cancer (EPIC)’ project, coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, analyze the relationship between diet, lifestyle and environmental factors, and the incidence of different types of cancer. And the results obtained reinforce the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, while evidencing the harms of following the Western dietary pattern.
This last regimen is based on consuming fatty dairy products, processed meat, refined grains, sweets, prepared foods, sauces and sugary drinks. The study showed that participants who reported consuming large quantities of these foods were twice as likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer, 37% more likely to suffer from breast cancer, and 53% more likely to suffer from breast cancer. colon-rectum.
However, Miguel Rodríguez, EASP researcher, highlights the importance of analyzing these results with caution, and keeping in mind that having a great adherence to the Western pattern does not mean that cancer will certainly develop. Following a Mediterranean diet, he says, does not guarantee absolute prevention either.
What the results of these studies do show for their authors is the importance of reducing foods from the Western diet – where sugars and refined flours or processed products predominate – and increasing the presence of whole fruits – not juices – , vegetables, legumes, fish and olive oil on our plate. In a statement, Adela Castelló, from the ISCIII, states that, “this simple change can significantly reduce the risk of suffering from cancer.”
