Komal Rastogi, Health Coach

Plant-Based Diets Reduce Mortality Among Lung Cancer Patients

A plant-based diet was found to reduce the risk of cancer-related death in individuals diagnosed with lung cancer, according to a new study at the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. Among 447 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer, those who closely adhered to a healthful plant-based diet, limiting processed and animal-based foods, had a 34% reduced risk of dying from their lung cancer.1 Plant-based diets have also been shown to be particularly protective against digestive cancers, such as pancreatic and colorectal cancer.2

References

1. Wang Q, Cui Q, Gao JP, Zhao YH. Plant-based dietary patterns and lung cancer mortality: a perspective cohort study. Food Funct. 2023. doi:10.1039/d3fo01803b

2. Zhao Y, Zhan J, Wang Y, Wang D. The relationship between plant-based diet and risk of digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis based on 3,059,009 subjects. Front Public Health. 2022;10:892153. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.892153

Oral Contraceptives Containing Progestogens Are Linked to Breast Cancer

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are compounds formed when foods, especially animal products, are cooked using high heat under dry conditions. Researchers have theorized that a diet low in AGEs (such as a vegan diet) can reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women. A new study published in the journal Maturitas asked participants to eat a low-fat, vegan diet for 12 weeks and include a daily serving of soybeans. This group had 88% fewer moderate-to-severe hot flashes than those who continued eating their normal diet. While there are many possible explanations for this benefit, including the isoflavones in soy, these fewer hot flashes may be due, in part, to consuming fewer AGEs on a vegan diet.

References

Kahleova H, Znayenko-Miller T, Uribarri J, et al. Dietary advanced glycation end-products and postmenopausal hot flashes: a post-hoc analysis of a 12-week randomized clinical trial. Maturitas. Published online March 24, 2023.