People have long wondered if a healthy diet can prevent cancer, but the answer has been a little unclear — until recently. The World Cancer Research Fund has now reviewed 7,000 medical studies and concluded that, yes, your diet (and weight) can affect whether you get cancer or not. While this large analysis focused only on past research studies, you may still be surprised by the scientists' recommendations.
The researchers' diet recommendations are to:
- limit red meat to no more than 2.5 ounces per day
- eat no processed meats (bacon, sausage)
- limit alcohol to two drinks for men and one drink for women per day
- avoid sugary drinks like juices and sodas
- limit sodium to 2000 mg per day
Other recommendations beyond those for diet included:
- exercise every other day
- get your nutrients from foods, not supplements
- breastfeed your babies
- control your weight by aiming for a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9
The take-home message is that what you choose to eat and do each day plays an important role in preventing cancer. What are your thoughts on diet, exercise, and cancer prevention?
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