Fruit, vegetables lower risk of esophageal cancer in men

Thursday 14th August, 05:07 PM JST

TOKYO —

Men who eat lots of fruit and vegetables, especially cabbage and radishes, have a low risk of developing esophageal cancer, according to a health ministry study released Thursday. Dividing men into three groups by estimated intake of fruit and vegetables, those who eat a lot of them were found to have nearly half the risk of developing esophageal cancer compared to those who eat a low quantity, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry study found. The risk falls about 10 percent if fruit and vegetable consumption increases by 100 grams a day, according to the ministry research group led by Shoichiro Tsugane, chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Division at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo.

The research team studied about 39,000 men aged 45 to 74 in eight prefectures, including Iwate, Nagano and Okinawa, for eight years on average from 1995. During the period, 116 of the total developed squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, the most common type of esophageal cancer in Japanese people. Though men who smoke and drink are at higher risk of developing SCC, the study found that a high intake of fruit and vegetables lowers the risk to one-third the risk of men who consume a low or moderate amount. ‘‘The effects of fruit and vegetables (in curbing the development of esophageal cancer) have been confirmed,’’ said Taiki Yamaji, a member of the team from the National Cancer Center. ‘‘But it is far more effective to stop smoking and drinking,’’ Yamaji added.

Kyodo

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5 Comments

JoiceRojo at 11:04 PM JST - 14th August

And Apples would keep you free from cavities if you eat them since you were little.
usaexpat at 12:05 AM JST - 15th August

Doesn't do you any good if you don't cut out alcohol and smoking.
Pukey2 at 12:08 AM JST - 15th August

It really amazes me when I see people going to my local gym regularly (like 4 or 5 times a week), and then smoke outside the sports centre (using the ashtray provided by the sports centre, of course!) Something tells me the sports centre just wants our patronage.

Well, eating more fruit and veg is just common sense (just like not smoking).
OgieDoggie at 03:20 AM JST - 15th August

Well, eating more fruit and veg is just common sense (just like not smoking). -Pukey2

.would smoking a banana outside of my local gym qualify as healthy???
LIBERTAS at 09:13 AM JST - 15th August

"Well, eating more fruit and veg is just common sense." Sadly, common sense is not that common!