A recent study has suggested a correlation between following a particular, strict diet and a lower likelihood of dying following cancer survival.
The study, performed in Italy, used data to analyze cancer survivors’ diets and health outcomes over the course of 13 years.
Mediterranean Diet
Researchers were particularly interested in a group of foodstuffs that make up the Mediterranean Diet, which they found to reduce the risk of all-cause premature mortality by 32%.
The Mediterranean Diet is a diet named for foods often eaten by those living next to the Mediterranean and consists of foods including olive oil, fish and certain fruits and vegetables.
Additionally Reduces Heart Disease Death Risk
The diet tracked in the cohort study also showed a possibly reduced risk of dying from heart disease.
They found that heart-related mortality almost halved in those on a strict Mediterranean Diet compared to those with poor adherence to the diet.
Group Taken From Existing Study
The researchers looked at around 800 people that met their specifications from an existing cohort study.
They examined their diet and outcomes over a 13-year period to analyze the effects of their diet on all-cause mortality, deaths from heart disease and deaths from cancer.
Possible Explanation for Effect?
One of the researchers, Chiara Tonelli, believes that the “advantage” could be explained by the high natural antioxidant content of the diet.
“The Mediterranean Diet is mostly composed of foods such as fruit, vegetables and olive oil, that are natural sources of antioxidant compounds, which could explain the advantage observed in terms of mortality not only from cancer, but also from cardiovascular diseases,” she explains in a press release.
Improvements in Post-Cancer Care Becoming More Important
Researchers suggest that the number of cancer survivors is likely to rise in the near future.
This rise would mean that research looking at improvements in post-survival care, such as the cited study, will become ever more important.
Link With Other Diseases?
One of the more interesting hypotheses generated from the study is that superficially different chronic diseases may share some mechanisms.
Maria Benedetta Donatti, another researcher involved, suggests that their research may support the theory that “different chronic diseases, such as tumors and heart diseases, actually share the same molecular mechanisms.”
Future Research Areas
The teams are looking to further examine the link between specific diets and health outcomes such as cancer and all-cause mortality.
They want to look in more granular detail at the specific foods that make up the Mediterranean Diet and their outcomes on health.
Foods Associated With Cancer
Previous research has also looked into foods that may have an association with increased risk for cancers.
Red meats such as steaks and processed meats such as hot dogs and beef jerky now have a sufficient evidence base for the WHO to state that these cause colorectal cancer.
What Should We Be Eating?
Research is gradually building up a picture of what makes a healthy diet and what foodstuffs can lead to adverse health effects.
Experts suggest a diet of vegetables, whole grains, unsalted nuts, fruits and beans may help to lower the risk of developing cancer.
