Yet another significant benefit of the Mediterranean diet has been recently discovered by scientists. It appears that is can reduce the risk of uterine cancer by up to 57% if followed in its entirety, and up to 34% when only 6 of the 9 food groups are consumed regularly.
Shortly after being revered for its capability of improving brain function, it appears that the Mediterranean diet can offer even more medical advantages for those who follow it closely.
Generally, the diet is rich in fruit and vegetables and a wide variety of healthy oils and nuts. It greatly consists of fish dishes, rather than red meat and entails avoiding dairy products, alcohol and meat. It seriously frowns upon fried food and greatly supports the consumption of a generous variety of salads.
However, a team of Italian and Swiss researchers studied its compounds and they have broken it down to nine main food categories. The study was conducted on 5,000 women who adhered to the Mediterranean diet, who were closely observed.
The effects of the diet in relation to its capacity of preventing uterine cancer were assessed in accordance to the participants’ preference of the nine food groups.
The researchers concluded that a regular intake of 4 or less of the Mediterranean food groups does not offer any particular benefits to the prevention of uterine cancer.
However, for those women who regularly consumed 5 of the 9 food categories the risk was eventually reduced by 34%.
For those who stuck with 6 categories, the reduction was up to 46% and for those women who followed the complete diet, with all of its 9 food groups, the risk of uterine cancer was decreased by up to 57%.
“Our research shows the impact a healthy balanced diet could have on a woman’s risk of developing womb cancer.” said Dr. Cristina Bosetti of the IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche in Milan, the lead author of the study.
The study was published in British Journal of Cancer and brings great hope to those who want to stick to a balanced healthy diet. It appears that it is actually possible to prevent severe medical conditions like cancer by putting an emphasis on improving the quality of the food that is consumed on a day-to day basis.
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