Obesity is known to increase the risk of several types of cancer, including those affecting the liver, kidney, and thyroid. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open explores how following the Mediterranean diet can impact cancer risks linked to obesity.
The study, which included more than 450,000 participants, revealed that individuals who strictly followed a Mediterranean diet had a 6% lower risk of obesity-related cancers compared to those who did not adhere to the diet as closely. This benefit was observed regardless of whether participants were overweight or obese.
Study Focuses on Diet’s Impact on Obesity-Linked Cancer
Previous research has shown that the Mediterranean diet may help with weight management and reduce the risk of certain cancers. In this study, researchers aimed to further explore how closely following this diet could influence the risk of cancers related to obesity. They also examined how body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio played a role in these findings.
The research team used data from the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, which included participants from ten European countries. Participants, aged 35 to 70, were tracked over an average period of 15 years. Those with pre-existing cancer or extreme energy intake were excluded from the study, leaving 450,111 participants.
Dietary habits were assessed by tracking 14 food groups, such as fish, vegetables, and legumes. The study also considered other lifestyle factors, including smoking habits and education level, as well as body measurements.
Mediterranean Diet’s Role in Cancer Prevention
To assess how well participants adhered to the Mediterranean diet, researchers used a scoring system called the MedDiet score. Those with higher scores followed the Mediterranean diet more closely. The participants were divided into low, medium, and high adherence groups.
Results showed that participants with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet had the lowest rates of obesity-related cancer. In fact, 4.9% of the participants developed obesity-linked cancer during the study period, with the lowest incidence in those with the highest adherence to the diet.
The study also found that the Mediterranean diet was particularly effective in reducing the risk of colorectal, liver, and kidney cancers. Medium adherence was linked to a lower risk of esophageal cancer.
Diet Offers Benefits for Smokers
The Mediterranean diet seemed to provide additional benefits for former and current smokers, offering a distinct risk reduction for obesity-related cancers in this group.
However, the study did not find a significant link between the Mediterranean diet and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer in women. When men and women were studied separately, medium adherence to the Mediterranean diet was the only level associated with a reduced risk of obesity-related cancers.
BMI and Waist-to-Hip Ratio Not Key Factors
Interestingly, the study found that the risk reductions observed in those who followed the Mediterranean diet were not influenced by BMI or waist-to-hip ratio, suggesting that the diet itself may have a direct protective effect against cancer. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind these findings.
In conclusion, this large-scale study highlights the potential of the Mediterranean diet in reducing the risk of cancer for individuals with obesity. It suggests that diet alone, independent of body weight or fat distribution, can play a significant role in cancer prevention.
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