News summary

More detail on best vegetables for anti-cancer effects

As an adjunct to the existing knowledge that a diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables may offer some protection against kidney cancer, the results of research in Sweden show that there may be particular benefits to eating bananas, root and salad vegetables, and cabbage. Scientists at the Karolinska Institute say women who eat bananas four to six times a week, for example, are at about half the risk of kidney cancer of those who do not eat bananas. They say regular consumption of root vegetables is associated with a 50 to 65 per cent reduction in risk.
Reuters Health Online

A slew of new results

Three separate studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association show the benefits of the “Mediterranean-style” diet. First, researchers at Johns Hopkins in the US and Yonsei University in Korea, who monitored more than 1.2 million people for ten years, conclude that those with the highest blood sugar levels, regardless of whether they are diabetic or not, are at an increased risk of developing and dying from cancer. They believe glucose intolerance might be one way that obesity increases cancer risk, and that rising obesity rates might increase future cancer rates. Meanwhile, Dr Ann Choa and colleagues at the American Cancer Society have found that people who eat the greatest amounts of red meat are 50 per cent more likely than those eating the least to develop colon cancer. In the third study, scientists at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht, in the Netherlands, find that eating fruit and vegetables or drinking juices has no effect on breast cancer risk in women generally, although they say there could be a modest benefit for some.
BBC News Online

Surprise finding

It appears that peanuts are better for us than had been thought. A team at the University of Florida team says they contain high levels of protein and “good” monounsaturated fat, as well as large amounts of polyphenols, and in particular of p-coumaric acid. They add that roasting peanuts can increase overall antioxidant content by up to 22 per cent. Steve Talcott, who led the research, says peanuts are on a level with strawberries for antioxidant content.
BBC News Online

Fish in diet brings mixed benefits

Scientists at Harvard researchers say a study of more than 4,700 older people indicates that the consumption of fried fish and fish sandwiches are both associated with a higher risk of stroke, while there is a direct relationship between consumption of grilled or baked fish and a reduced incidence of stroke. Researcher Dr Dariush Mozaffarian points out that the link between increased risk and fish sandwiches is probably due to the fact that the sandwiches tended to be fried-fish burgers from fast-food outlets, with all that entails. His results show that the consumption of grilled or baked fish once to three times a month is associated with a 14 per cent reduction in stroke risk, once to four times a week with a 28 per cent drop, and, in those eating it five or more times a week, with a 32 per cent reduction.
HealthScout

More moves to tackle public obesity

The food and drink industry in Europe is to meet officials to agree ways to tackle obesity, particularly in children. Robert Madelin, director-general of the European Commission’s health and consumer protection department, says a “think-tank” will be set up in March to encourage companies to set their own targets, covering education, composition of foods, portion size, labelling, advertising and how to promote physical exercise. He believes that there need to be a combination of regulation and non-regulated initiatives.
Reuters Health Online

Volunteers sought

Researchers at Cardiff University are looking for volunteers to take part in a study into the possible protective effects of a substance found in brassicas. They believe di-indolylmethane (DIM), which is also sold as a food supplement, can reduce the risk of cervical cancer and are asking 3,000 women who have had slightly abnormal smear results to take part in their attempt to find out. Research leader Professor Alison Fiander says, “The study is looking at whether [DIM] is able to reverse minor or mild cervical smear abnormalities and prevent the development of more serious abnormalities in the future.”
BBC News Online