Vegetarians have ‘substantially lower risk’ of five types of cancer
Study shows lower risk for multiple myeloma as well as pancreatic, prostate, breast and kidney cancers
TL;DR
- Vegetarians had a 21% lower risk of pancreatic cancer, 12% lower risk of prostate cancer, and 9% lower risk of breast cancer compared to meat eaters.
- Vegetarians also showed a 28% lower risk of kidney cancer and a 31% lower risk of multiple myeloma.
- Conversely, vegetarians had nearly double the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, possibly due to nutrient deficiencies like B vitamins.
- Vegans had a 40% higher risk of bowel cancer, potentially linked to lower calcium intake.
- Pescatarians had lower risks of breast, kidney, and bowel cancers; poultry eaters had a lower risk of prostate cancer.
- The study analyzed data from over 1.8 million people tracked for an average of 16 years.