If you want to become vegetarian, you will save the planet by avoiding an animal agriculture sector responsible for emitting huge amounts of greenhouse gases. Plant-based diets have benefits like lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease. In addition, new research now shows that plant-based diets are likely to lower the risk of cancers, especially prostate cancer.
Researchers published the findings of a thorough literature assessment on plant-based foods and the risk of prostate cancer. They concluded that plant-based foods could enhance prostate cancer prognosis and benefit heart health and life satisfaction.
Numerous anti-cancer substances, including flavonoids, resveratrol, and tannins, are found in plants. The two forms of carcinogens formed by cooking meat. Additionally, heterocyclic amines are created when pan-searing and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced while barbecuing or grilling.
The researchers assessed 32 studies and evaluated possible connections between low prostate cancer risk and plant-based diets. Some studies were observational, implying they relied on pre-existing data in health registries and databases. There other studies were interventional, and they enrolled subjects with prostate cancer that had been followed over time to see if exercise, dietary changes, lifestyle interventions and dietary changes would result in better outcomes.
Most observational trials discovered that men who ate plants had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who ate meat. In addition, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increased gradually in plant-eaters relative to meat-eaters, according to 60% of experimental trials. A spike in PSA indicates that prostate cancer may be getting worse or returning in men that have already received treatment.
In order to draw the inference that plant foods are beneficial, the review researchers picked out the data on PSA in addition to superior general health and postponed needs for extra prostate cancer therapy among plant-eaters.
Urologist and Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle director at Cedars-Sinai Medical, Dr Stephen Freedland, said additional research is necessary to confirm the connection.