Vegetarians have substantially lower risk' of five types of cancer

"This study is really good news for those who follow a vegetarian diet because they have a lower risk of five cancer types, some of which are very prevalent in the population. While being vegetarian appeared to be protective overall, the scientists also found that those who follow a vegetarian diet had nearly double the risk of the most common type of cancer of the oesophagus, known as squamous cell carcinoma, compared with meat eaters."

"Vegans had a 40% higher risk of bowel cancer when compared with meat eaters. This may be due to the low average intake of calcium (590mg a day, compared with the UK recommendation of 700mg a day) and lower intakes of other nutrients."

"The researchers said more work was needed to establish whether meat consumption was problematic or whether something specific in vegetarian diets lowers cancer risk and the answer might vary depending on cancer type. My feeling is the difference is more likely to be due to the meat itself, but that's an opinion that we haven't looked at directly."

A landmark study tracking 1.8 million people found vegetarians have 21% lower pancreatic cancer risk, 12% lower prostate cancer risk, and 9% lower breast cancer risk compared to meat eaters. Vegetarians also showed 28% lower kidney cancer risk and 31% lower multiple myeloma risk. However, vegetarians had nearly double the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, potentially due to B vitamin deficiency. Vegans faced 40% higher bowel cancer risk, possibly from insufficient calcium and nutrient intake. Researchers noted uncertainty about whether protective effects stem from avoiding meat or specific vegetarian diet components, with answers potentially varying by cancer type.

Read at www.theguardian.com