Cruciferous Vegetables
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Cauliflower
and other white
cruciferous vegetables contain high levels of indole glucosinolates, compounds
believed to have a variety of cancer-fighting effects. Eat Your Broccoli
and Avoid Prostate Cancer Their study involved 628 men from the Seattle area between the ages of 40 and 64 years who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer between January 1 and December 31, 1996. An age-matched sample of 602 men without prostate cancer served as the control group. All participants were interviewed and completed a 99-item food frequency questionnaire which included 12 fruit items and 21 vegetable items. The participants were asked to estimate their intake of the foods (ranging from "never or less than once per month" to "2+ per day") over the 3-5 years preceding the date of diagnosis or date of interview (for controls). The intake of fruit did not significantly affect prostate cancer risk. However, men who consumed 28 or more servings of vegetables per week were found to have a 35 per cent lower risk than men who consumed fewer than 14 servings per week. When limiting the analysis to cruciferous vegetables only the protective effect was found to be even more pronounced. Men who ate three or more servings of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage) per week had a 41 per cent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than did men who ate less than one serving a week. A high intake of
lutein plus zeaxanthin (2000 micrograms/day or more) was associated with a 32
per cent decrease in risk, but this association was not statistically
significant. The researchers found no correlation between the intake of tomato
products or lycopene and prostate cancer risk. Vegetables Reduce Risk for Prostate Cancer Cohen JH, Kristal AR, Stanford JL. Fruit and vegetable intakes and prostate cancer risk. J Nat Can Ins 2000;92:61-8. Men who ate three or more servings of vegetables per day had a 48 percent lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those who ate less, according to researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sauerkraut, and coleslaw possessed the strongest risk-reducing effect. It is believed that the array of phytochemicals in vegetables activate enzymes that help weaken cancer-causing agents in the body. The study looked at the associations of total fruit and vegetable consumption—as well as specific types of fruits and vegetables—with prostate cancer risk in 1,230 men aged 40 to 64. By studying younger men, researchers were better able to assess the impact of lifestyle factors such as diet on cancer risk. Cohen JH, Kristal AR, Stanford JL. Fruit and vegetable intakes and prostate cancer risk. J Nat Can Ins 2000;92:61-8.
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