Vegetables Fight Diabetes and Colon Cancer

Vegetables Fight Diabetes and Colon Cancer 

Two studies in the December, 2003, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition add
more evidence against fatty meats, dairy products, and eggs, while supporting
the health value of vegetable-rich diets. In the first report, Michigan State
University researchers analyzed data from the third National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. They identified two prevalent dietary patterns: One, which they
termed the âWesternâ pattern, was heavy on processed meats, eggs, red
meats, and high-fat dairy products, while the other, called the
âAmerican-healthyâ pattern, emphasized green, leafy vegetables, salad
dressings, tomatoes, other vegetables (e.g., peppers, green beans, corn, and
peas), cruciferous vegetables, and tea. Blood tests showed that the more people
followed the âWesternâ pattern, the more problems they had with blood-sugar
control. They had higher blood concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin,
insulin, and C-pep
tide, and lower concentrations of folic acid.   

In the second report, the antioxidant lycopene showed power to prevent colon
cancer. Lycopene is the red pigment in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit,
pink guava, and papaya. Researchers in Stuttgart, Germany, studied people
undergoing colonoscopy, and compared those whose colon examinations turned out
to be normal to those whose examinations revealed adenomatous polypsâthe kind
that often lead to colon cancer. Those with the precancerous growths had, on
average, 35% lower blood levels of lycopene, as well as somewhat lower blood
levels of beta-carotene. The results suggest that loading up on healthy fruits
and vegetables, especially lycopene-rich varieties, can help prevent colon
cancer. Previous studies have linked lycopene to reduced risk of cancers of the
prostate, lung, and stomach. 

The studies are not yet on Medline. Here are the references:

Kerver JM, Yang EJ, Bianchi L, Song WO. Dietary patterns associated with risk
factors for cardiovascular disease in healthy U.S. adults. Am J Clin Nutr
2003;78:1103-10.

Erhardt JG, Meisner C, Bode JC, Bode C. Lycopene, Ã-carotene, and colorectal
adenomas. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:1219-24. 

For information about nutrition and health, please visit www.pcrm.org. 


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