A new study conducted in Iran shows that eating a healthy plant-based diet can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in women, especially after menopause. Published in health, population, and nutritional journal, the study suggests how the quality of plant-based foods-can not only play a major role in the prevention of cancer-not only being vegetarian.

Breast cancer is still the most common among women

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with more than two million new cases every year. While some risk factors such as age, genetics and reproductive history cannot be changed, lifestyle factor such as diet, smoking, use and weight is considered convertible and can have a major impact on the risk of cancer.

Why diet matters in prevention of breast cancer

Changing food habits is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Diets such as the Mediterranean Sea and dash (dietary approach to prevent high blood pressure) have already shown protective effects. These diets include a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, limiting processed foods and red meat. The new Iranian study creates knowledge of how healthy versus unhealthy plant-based foods affect the risk of breast cancer.

Study: Take a close look at the quality of plant-based diet

Researchers studied the diet of 398 Iranian women- 133 who had breast cancer and 265 which were not. Using a wide food questionnaire, he evaluated how closely the diet of each woman matched with three plant-based diet index:

PDI (Plant-based diet index): Overall Consumption of Plant vs Animal Foods

HPDI (Healthy Plant-based diet index): Emphasis on healthy plant foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains

UPDI (unhealthy plant-based diet index): Focus on less healthy plants such as sophisticated grains, sweets, and sugars drinks

Foods were classified into three categories: animal-based, unhealthy plant-based and healthy plants. High scores on each index showed that diet type.

Major findings: a healthy diet, a low risk

Women who follow a healthy plant-based diet were reduced by 50 percent less obstruction of breast cancer growth compared to people with poor quality diets. The protective effect was particularly strong among postmenopausal women. On the other hand, small women who eat more sophisticated carbs and sugary plants-based foods increased the risk of breast cancer.

Researchers found that women who consumed more healthy plant-based foods also reduced BMI (body mass index), which is another factor tied to low risk of breast cancer.

Does a plant-based diet make “healthy”?

Not all vegetarian or plant-based diets are made the same. Just cutting meat is not enough. A healthy plant-based diet includes:

Antioxidants, fiber and vitamin -rich vegetables and fruits

Drawn grains like brown rice, oats and quinoa

Pulses like lentils, beans and chickpeas

Nuts and seeds for healthy fat and protein

Vegetable oil instead of saturated animal fat

These foods have anti -inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help protect cells from becoming cancer. They improve digestion, regulate hormones, and help in weight control.

Limitations of the Study

While the study provides strong insight, it also has some limitations. It was not responsible for the type of breast cancer (such as whether tumor hormone-rompore-positive or negative), which can affect how diet interacts with the risk of cancer. In addition, food intake was self-reported, which could not always be accurate, and the sample size was relatively small.

Nevertheless, researchers say that conclusions indicate the need for more studies that include the position of the hormone and menopause phase for a clear understanding.

This study suggests that it is not only about plant-based food, but also about eating well-balanced, nutrient-rich plants-based foods. Especially for more than 50 women, there may be a powerful step to protect from breast cancer sticking from a clean, nutritious diet filled with vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains.

If you are looking for ways to reduce the risk of your cancer, now the time may be that it leaves the additional service of white rice or packed snacks and is some fresh, fiber-rich and full of color.

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