Mediterranean Diet lessens breast cancer risk: study

The Mediterranean Diet originated from countries near the Mediterranean Sea, incorporating ingredients like olive oil and red wine to traditional cooking style known in that area. Besides being low in calories due to the plant-based foods, it can also promote good heart health among individuals. What more, a new study is now suggesting that it may be able to lessen the risk of breast cancer among individuals.

According to Live Science, a study from the University of Navarra in Spain, has discovered that due to the high extra-virgin olive oil content of the Mediterranean Diet, it can actually reduce breast cancer risk better than a low-fat diet. Dr. Miguel Martinez-Gonzalez, co-author of the study and professor of preventive medicine, states that a Mediterranean Diet has several elements that can combat cancer, particularly polyphenols, which are commonly found in olive oil.

Furthermore, Dr. Martinez-Gonzalez explains that if an individual consumes calories that are mostly from extra-virgin olive oil, then that individual will have a better chance of lowering breast cancer risk. He shares that for every 5 percent of calories, the risk is reduced by 28 percent.

The researchers asked over 4,300 postmenopausal women to consume a traditional Mediterranean Diet, which consists mostly of olive oil, red wine, whole grains, fish and plant-based foods, Forbes Magazine writes. To create a varying component, the researchers have divided the women into three. One group of women were asked to include extra-virgin olive oil per week; another to include about 30 grams of mixed nuts like almonds and hazelnuts, while the last group was advised to consume a low fat diet.

After five years, the first two groups who were on Mediterranean Diet had considerably lesser chances of getting diagnosed with breast cancer than the group who followed a low fat diet. Best of all, the women who included extra-virgin olive oil in their diets had an outstanding 68 percent less risk, while the women who added nuts only had 41 percent less risk.

The study, called PREDIMED, was initially designed to check the cardiovascular benefits of the diet. But due to the significant findings pertaining to breast cancer prevention, it has been considered as the first randomized clinical trial to show potential evidence against cancer, Los Angeles Times adds. However, like most initial studies, researchers believe further analysis is required to get a better understanding and direct link between the diet and breast cancer.

The study was published last Monday on the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.