Sustainable Diet & Cancer Risk
- REGENSBURG, Germany (May 2, 2025) — A new international analysis suggests that adhering to a sustainable diet is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cancer-related mortality.
- Researchers at the University of Regensburg's Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine conducted the analysis, wich encompassed data from more than 2.2 million individuals across 17 international studies....
- Marina Kasper, the study's first author, stated, "This is not just an advantage for those who eat sustainably.They also make a contribution to the protection of the planet."
Sustainable Diets Linked to Lower Cancer Risk, Study Finds
Table of Contents
- Sustainable Diets Linked to Lower Cancer Risk, Study Finds
- Environmentally Friendly Nutrition and Cancer Prevention
- Study Details: Evaluating Sustainable Nutrition
- Implications for Public Health
- Characteristics of Sustainable Diets
- Recommendations for the Future
- References
- Contact
- Original Publication
- enduring Diets and Cancer Risk: Your Questions Answered
- What did the recent study find about sustainable diets and cancer?
- Where was this study conducted, and what methods were used?
- What exactly is considered a “sustainable diet” in this study?
- Which types of cancer were most affected by sustainable diets?
- What are the key takeaways from this research?
- What foods are typically included in a sustainable diet?
- What recommendations do the researchers have for the future?
- Where can I find the original study and more information?
- Key Findings Summary Table
- References
- Contact
- Original Publication
By [Your Name/News Agency Name]
REGENSBURG, Germany (May 2, 2025) — A new international analysis suggests that adhering to a sustainable diet is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cancer-related mortality. The study, a systematic review and meta-analysis, examined the link between environmentally conscious eating habits and cancer risks.
Environmentally Friendly Nutrition and Cancer Prevention
Researchers at the University of Regensburg’s Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine conducted the analysis, wich encompassed data from more than 2.2 million individuals across 17 international studies. The findings, published in *EClinical Medicine*, indicate that individuals with highly sustainable diets experienced a 7% decrease in overall cancer risk and a 12% reduction in cancer-related deaths compared to those with the least sustainable diets.
Marina Kasper, the study’s first author, stated, “This is not just an advantage for those who eat sustainably.They also make a contribution to the protection of the planet.”
Study Details: Evaluating Sustainable Nutrition
The assessment of sustainable nutrition involved various scientific indices, considering environmental factors such as carbon dioxide emissions and land use, alongside health-promoting food components. The consumption of organic foods and the avoidance of heavily processed products were also factored into the evaluation.
The study revealed a particularly strong association between sustainable nutrition and reduced risk of lung and stomach cancers. Results for other cancer types, including breast and colon cancer, were less conclusive.
Implications for Public Health
Kasper emphasized the dual benefit of sustainable nutrition, stating, “The analysis provides a strong argument for sustainable nutrition as a double prevention strategy: it protects health and at the same time protects the natural livelihoods, that is, the environment that our lives depend on.”
Characteristics of Sustainable Diets
Researchers highlighted that sustainable diets typically include a higher proportion of plant-based and unprocessed foods, while limiting meat, sugar, and heavily processed items – all factors linked to increased cancer risk. Many of these recommended foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fruits, are not onyl nutrient-rich but also resource-efficient in their production.
Recommendations for the Future
The researchers advocate for the integration of sustainable nutrition into public health policy through education, improved labeling, and the establishment of health-promoting environments in schools, hospitals, and canteens. They believe this approach can align public health goals with global climate protection efforts.
References
- Willett W, Rockström J, Loken B, et al. Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The Lancet. 2019;393(10170):447-492. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31788-4
- Springmann M. A multicriteria analysis of meat and milk alternatives from nutritional, health, environmental, and cost perspectives. Proceedings of the National academy of Sciences. 2024;121(50):e2319010121. doi:10.1073/pnas.2319010121
- Reuter S, Gupta SC, Chaturvedi MM, Aggarwal BB. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer: How are they linked? Free radical biology & medicine. 2010;49(11):1603. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2010.09.006
- World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). Recommendations and public health and policy implications.2018.
Contact
University of Regensburg Communication and Marketing: pressse@ur.de, +49 (0)941 943 5566
Original Publication
“Sustainable diets and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis” DOI: [DOI]
enduring Diets and Cancer Risk: Your Questions Answered
By University of regensburg Communication and Marketing, with insights from the original study
This article provides an overview of a new study linking sustainable diets to reduced cancer risk. We’ll address your most pressing questions and highlight key findings.
What did the recent study find about sustainable diets and cancer?
A new international analysis suggests a notable association between sustainable diets and a lower risk of cancer. The study, a systematic review and meta-analysis, examined the relationship between environmentally conscious eating habits and cancer risks. It found that individuals following highly sustainable diets experienced:
- A 7% decrease in overall cancer risk.
- A 12% reduction in cancer-related deaths.
Where was this study conducted, and what methods were used?
Researchers at the University of Regensburg’s Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine conducted the analysis. The study included data from over 2.2 million individuals across 17 international studies. Researchers used various scientific indices to assess sustainable nutrition, including environmental factors like carbon dioxide emissions and land use, along with health-promoting food components.
What exactly is considered a “sustainable diet” in this study?
The study defined sustainable diets by considering several factors.These included:
- Emissions and Land use: The environmental impact of food production, specifically carbon dioxide emissions and land usage.
- Plant-Based Focus: Emphasis on plant-based and unprocessed foods.
- Reduced Processed Foods: Avoidance of heavily processed items.
- Limiting Harmful Foods: Limiting the intake of items such as meat and sugar, which have been linked to increased cancer risk.
Which types of cancer were most affected by sustainable diets?
The study revealed a particularly strong association between sustainable nutrition and a reduced risk of:
- Lung cancer
- Stomach cancer
Results for other cancer types, including breast and colon cancer, were less conclusive.
What are the key takeaways from this research?
The researchers emphasize the dual benefit of sustainable nutrition.It protects both health and the surroundings. Marina Kasper, the study’s first author, stated that it provides a “strong argument for sustainable nutrition as a double prevention strategy: it protects health and simultaneously occurring protects the natural livelihoods, that is, the environment that our lives depend on.”
What foods are typically included in a sustainable diet?
Sustainable diets generally emphasize:
- Plant-based foods
- unprocessed foods
They also reccommend limiting the intake of meat, sugar, and heavily processed items. Many of these recommended foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fruits, are nutrient-rich and resource-efficient.
What recommendations do the researchers have for the future?
the researchers advocate for integrating sustainable nutrition into public health policy. Their recommendations include:
- Education initiatives
- Improved food labeling
- Health-promoting environments in schools, hospitals, and canteens
They believe this approach can align public health goals with global climate protection efforts.
Where can I find the original study and more information?
The original publication is titled “Sustainable diets and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis” with a DOI: [DOI]. You can find further details by contacting the University of Regensburg.
Key Findings Summary Table
| aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Finding | Sustainable diets are associated with a reduced cancer risk and mortality. |
| Cancer Risk Reduction | 7% decrease in overall cancer risk and 12% reduction in cancer-related deaths. |
| Study Location | University of Regensburg’s Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine |
| Number of Participants | Over 2.2 million individuals |
| Specific Cancers Affected | Strong association with reduced risk of lung and stomach cancers. |
| Dietary Characteristics | Higher proportion of plant-based, unprocessed foods; limited meat, sugar, and processed items. |
| Recommendations | Integration of sustainable nutrition into public health policy through education, improved labeling, and healthy environments. |
References
- Willett W, Rockström J, Loken B, et al. Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. The Lancet. 2019;393(10170):447-492. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31788-4
- Springmann M. A multicriteria analysis of meat and milk alternatives from nutritional, health, environmental, and cost perspectives. Proceedings of the National academy of Sciences. 2024;121(50):e2319010121. doi:10.1073/pnas.2319010121
- Reuter S,Gupta SC,Chaturvedi MM,Aggarwal BB. oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer: How are they linked? Free radical biology & medicine. 2010;49(11):1603. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2010.09.006
- World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). Recommendations and public health and policy implications.2018.
Contact
For more information, please contact the University of Regensburg Communication and Marketing: pressse@ur.de, +49 (0)941 943 5566
Original Publication
“Sustainable diets and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis” DOI: [DOI]