Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
8/4/2010
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
RIO - Eating fruits and vegetables can reduce up to 30% the chances of a heart attack, in addition to acting against the blood pressure and prevent strokes. The same diet can decrease by about 4% chance of incidence of cancer. This was revealed one of the largest and most extensive studies ever made, linking diet to disease. The work was published in the journal of the National Cancer Institute, the United Kingdom.
The researchers analyzed nearly 400 thousand men and women in ten European countries over nine years, during which these volunteers have developed 30 thousand types of disease. They found that daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, although extremely healthy, has not, as feared, a significant impact on cancer prevention. In 1990 the World Health Organization recommended intake to five servings of fruits and vegetables as a way to combat the disease. At the time, it was believed that this diet could reduce by 50% the potential to develop cancer.
Other factors also influence
According to scientists, some factors associated with this diet, included in previous studies, may have led to confusion about the actual role of consumption of fruits and vegetables in cancer prevention. Among them, the decrease in consumption of alcohol, physical exercise and the habit of not smoking. Not to mention that obesity is linked to various cancers.
- All these factors are crucial to reduce the risk of getting cancer - says Paolo Boffeta, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, lead author of the study.
But researchers warn that despite the new findings, regular consumption of fruit and vegetables should not be dismissed or diminished. Although of limited action against cancer, he acts so incisively against heart disease. During the study, it was found that volunteers who ate five servings of 200 g of diet, showed a 30% reduction in cases of heart disease and stroke, compared with those who drank just one serving.
According to the study, is not ruled out the preventive effect of some types of food against cancer. And a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, the researchers say, remains highly recommended, especially for younger people.
Small but significant benefits
One example is lycopene, a substance present in tomatoes and that, according to Walter Willett, the Harvard School of Health, "has considerable evidence to act against prostate cancer." Other foods such as broccoli, strawberries and blueberries, are also known for its anticancer properties.
- This study shows that efforts to increase the quantities of fruits and vegetables in a diet are valid, since these foods are actually able to act against cardiovascular disease and may bring little benefit in the fight against cancer - says Willett, who also attended the research. - What we need now and then, is focusing our studies on specific fruits and vegetables and their health impacts, especially in the early periods of life.
Source: Portal do Jornal O Globo
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.