Can a Plant-Based Diet Help Fight Cancer?

Last updated on March 25, 2021 at 02:50 pm

Cancer is a scary and dreadful word that no one ever wants to hear but so many people do, and many more will go on to encounter it in their lifetimes if things don’t change.

As one of the leading causes of death across the globe, the biggest and most often asked question is – how can cancer be prevented? 

Recent studies have shown that following a plant-based diet can help fight cancer.

This may sound crazy, but the food groups promoted by a plant-based diet have in fact shown scientific potential in preventing cancer development and progression. Could it really be that easy? Can a plant-based diet really help to fight cancer?

Vegan Diets and Cancer

It has become increasingly evident that there is a link between diet and the development of cancer.

This is supported by the fact that following a vegan diet has been consistently linked to lower rates of cancer. For this reason, diet and lifestyle changes are becoming increasingly popular ways for people to attempt to prevent cancer.

What is a Vegan Diet?

A vegan diet excludes any foods that come from animals, including meat, eggs, and dairy products. It also emphasizes whole, plant-based foods. 

There are a number of reasons why people follow vegan diets, some of which include ethical beliefs, weight loss, and health benefits. In recent years, vegan diets have also now been linked to a reduced risk of cancer development.

Vegan Diet and Cancer Studies

In an analysis of studies on cancer risk in vegetarians, authors of a review paper found that following a vegan diet may lead to a lower risk of developing cancer (1). It was found that across the various studies examined, there was a 10 – 12% decrease in the overall risk of developing cancer. 

While further evidence is required to determine a stronger correlation, much less a causative effect, between vegan diets and cancer, current observations indicate that following a vegan diet is potentially protective against cancer development.

Plant-Based Diet Benefits for Cancer

The potential benefits of veganism on cancer development have been attributed to multiple aspects of the diet, some of which are outlined here:

Animal Products

The consumption of meat, especially red meat, has been consistently linked to increased risk of many cancer types. It has been demonstrated that removing meat from your diet, or reducing meat intake, is correlated to a decreased risk of cancer development. 

An analysis of lung cancer rates and diet found that diets rich in meats increased lung cancer risk by up to 35% (2). Limiting meat consumption by adopting a plant-based diet can, therefore, minimize the risk of cancer development associated with meat intake.

You don’t need to fear eating a little animal protein, but reducing it and replacing it with plant-based protein alternatives appears to be a good choice.

Weight and Obesity

Additionally, many plant-based foods, particularly those with high fiber levels, allow for the maintenance of a healthy weight, and promote good health overall.

Excess weight and obesity are both linked to an increased risk of cancer, so maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial for cancer prevention.

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Vitamins and Minerals

Plant-based foods also contain important vitamins such as vitamin B12, probiotics, and antioxidants. These have been consistently linked to cancer prevention and are in abundance in whole, natural foods.

How Does a Plant-Based Diet Help Fight Cancer?

The benefits of a vegan diet on cancer development are extremely promising, and similarly, a plant-based diet also has great potential for reducing the risk of developing cancer. 

Like veganism, a plant-based diet emphasizes fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and legumes. It also involves minimizing processed foods and animal products. 

However, unlike with a vegan diet, the extent to which these guidelines are followed is largely up to you. In other words, there is more flexibility with a plant-based diet.

Following a plant-based diet is more of a lifestyle that can be adapted to your individual needs and preferences, making it easier to stick to the changes. 

Plant-Based Diet and Colon Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States (3). It is estimated that over 100,000 Americans will develop colon cancer in 2020 alone. Additionally, it is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with over 50,000 people expected to pass away from colon cancer this year.

How Are Diets and Colon Cancer Linked?

Colon cancer has been linked to diet and weight, and many studies have investigated the role different foods play in its development. Fortunately, diet is something that can be modified if you understand which foods can help you combat and prevent colon cancer.

Studies on Diet and Colon Cancer

Studies have suggested that plant-based foods can protect against colon cancer development (4).

This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Additionally, highly processed foods, foods high in fat, as well as meat have been proven to increase the risk of colon cancer.

A study conducted by researchers at the Loma Linda University in California investigated the impact of the diets of almost 100,000 people and their subsequent risk of colon cancer (5).

The study found that those following a plant-based diet had an associated lower risk of developing colon cancer. The researchers concluded that this may be an important finding for the overall prevention of colon cancer.

How Do Plant-Based Diet Foods Help Fight Colon Cancer?

The combination of plant-based foods along with the minimizing of animal products is thought to have a combined impact on reducing the risk of colon cancer. 

Plant-based foods tend to have greater quantities of fiber, probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins, and all of these are known to aid in overall gut health. This indicates that the increased presence of these compounds is beneficial in preventing colon cancer. 

Meat consumption, however, has consistently been associated with colon cancer. 

Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong link between meat intake and colon cancer (6). It has been discovered that chemical compounds found in meat can lead to the development of cancer within the gut. 

As the meat in our diet is increased, researchers believe the risk of colon cancer also increases. Moderating your meat intake in your daily diet can therefore potentially decrease your risk of colon cancer.

Implications of Research

These findings reinforce the fact that the foundations of a plant-based diet may be beneficial in the prevention of colon cancer development.

It is evident that colon cancer is influenced by diet, and studies have further demonstrated that whole, plant-based foods can be protective against the development of this disease.

This, coupled with the minimization and moderation of animal products, provide strong grounds for adopting a plant-based diet as a preventative measure for colon cancer.

Foods That Fight Cancer

It is one thing to know that our diet influences our risk of developing cancer, but it is another thing to act on it. So, what foods should you add to your plate to minimize cancer risk? Here are some foods that are beneficial:

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage have all been linked to reducing the risk of cancer. These vegetables contain a sulfur-rich compound called sulforaphane, which has been found to exhibit properties that can aid in tumor cell death; it may, therefore, be able to reduce tumor size (7).

Legumes

Legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils are high in fiber and have been shown to protect against cancer. 

One key food in a plant-based diet is beans, which have extremely high levels of fiber and are an excellent alternative to meat in bulking up meals.

A study that looked at bean intake and colorectal cancer found that the consumption of high-fiber beans may be protective against the recurrence of advanced colorectal cancer (8).

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, and oranges have also demonstrated their potential to reduce the risk of cancer.

Several studies have found that increased consumption of citrus fruits is associated with reduced risk of stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer (9, 10, 11).

Berries

Berries are well known to contain high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants have long been linked to protecting cells against cellular damage caused by free radicals in the body; free radical damage is associated with the development and growth of cancer cells. 

Thus, foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, are able to minimize damage caused by free radicals. A study found that participants who consumed berries were able to reduce colorectal cancer tumor growth by 7% (12).

All of these food groups are promoted in a plant-based diet, indicating that a plant-based lifestyle may be beneficial in helping to fight cancer.

Therefore, it is worth trying to incorporate more of these foods into your daily diet, while trying to minimize meats, fatty foods, processed foods, and those high in refined sugars. 

Adopting a plant-based lifestyle that includes these food groups can not only assist with weight loss and feeling healthy overall, but it can also help to decrease your risk of developing cancer.

Can Cancer Be Reversed With Diet?

While it is becoming increasingly clear that a healthy diet can prevent the development of cancer, there is also some evidence to suggest that it may aid in the management of the disease as well.

It is therefore not uncommon for doctors to advise their patients to alter their diets after a cancer diagnosis.

Prostate Cancer and Plant-Based Diets

A study looking at prostate cancer progression in men compared participants on a vegan diet to those on a regular Western diet that contains high amounts of meat (13).

Those on the plant-based diet were found to have an overall shrinkage in tumor size, compared to growth in tumor size for those on the regular diet. 

Additionally, the genetic makeup of the tumor was different in each of the two groups. These findings indicate that a plant-based diet could be beneficial in controlling cancer progression once diagnosed. 

Current Nutritional Plans for Cancer Patients

At many hospitals and cancer institutes across the United States, cancer patients are referred to specific cancer nutritionists to help in developing healthy eating plans during their treatment. These plans generally include high levels of fresh fruit and vegetables.

People are also encouraged to eat less refined sugars and fatty foods. This is because it has been shown that a healthy, balanced diet can aid in managing cancer progression.

However, there is currently no research on whether diet can actually reverse a cancer diagnosis.

While it is still unclear as to whether diet alone can reverse cancer, there is promising research on its ability to manage and prevent the progression of the disease.

The Bottom Line

Research suggests that plant-based diets have the potential to aid in the prevention and management of cancer.

Following a plant-based diet rich in whole, natural foods can not only make you feel healthier overall, but it can also provide potent cancer-fighting agents and help improve your overall health and wellbeing.