A majority of Americans fall far short of meeting the daily dietary requirements recommended to prevent cancer, according to a new study.
Researchers from Ohio State University found that close to two-thirds of Americans across all body weights are not getting the daily recommended amount of fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains, while also failing to limit their intake of red meat and sugar.
Read More- 62.8% (normal)
- 64.5% (overweight)
- 70.1% (obese)
It was also suggested by the report that whole grains be consumed with each meal. Once again, participants fell short, with those failing to reach those numbers breaking down to:
- 67.9% (normal)
- 70.2% (overweight)
- 73.1% (obese)
Americans did manage to exceed the recommended values in two categories: sugar and red meat. The 2019 WCRF/AICR report stated that no more than three portions or servings (12 to 18 ozs) of red meat should be consumed per week. That goal was exceeded by:
- 36.7% (normal)
- 41.6% (overweight)
- 43.5% (obese)
Overall, less than 10% of Americans consumed the 30 grams of fiber that is recommended per day while over 90% exceeded the number of calories from sugar that was suggested in the diet guide.
"It almost appears as if many Americans believe that if they can't follow all of the recommendations, why should they adhere to any of them? And that's just not the case," said co-author Dr. Colleen Spees, associate professor of medical dietetics in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University.
"These guidelines don't have to be so prescriptive. Even little changes in behavior can have a huge impact. For instance, reducing added sugars can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight status over time."
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The link between diet and cancer prevention has only been examined in observational studies, but it is clear that while food has not been shown to prevent cancer, diet does play a big role in cancer prevention.
"Food can help prevent many of the chronic conditions that increase your risk of cancer," explained Joseph Dowdell, RDN, LD, Cleveland Clinic in a post last year that was not connected to the OSU study. "Genetics and other health conditions can impact cancer prevalence as well, but those are usually out of our control. Obesity is something we can control through food and exercise."
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He also stressed that the focus should be less on restricting foods, and more on making healthier choices.
"While sugar fuels cancer cells, it fuels us, too. It helps our organs function properly. So it is nearly impossible to eliminate sugar,” said Dowdell. “But the problem isn't foods with natural sugar. It's the added sugars that can lead to obesity and heart disease, which increase your risk of cancer."
He went on to say: "Food is powerful. Some use it for comfort. Others use it for fuel or to be social. So it's important to still embrace those things but in the healthiest way possible.”
“You can eat that piece of cake on your birthday or indulge a little during a barbecue. Having an occasional treat is perfectly fine. It's when those practices happen daily that negative long-term effects come into play."
But, as Dr. Spees pointed out: "Most Americans, regardless of weight status, have much to improve when it comes to dietary patterns.”
Can Foods Prevent Cancer?
Overcooked red meat, processed foods like bacon, and fatty meats have all been associated with an increased cancer risk. We know this stuff is true from hard science and multiple studies.
But are there any foods that can actually decrease the chance of getting cancer? Unfortunately, no matter what anyone tells you, as far as we know, there is no single food that doctors can point to, with absolute certainty, and say it decreases cancer risk. That doesn’t mean that healthy eating habits aren’t important. A balanced diet is a priority both during and after cancer treatment. Dr. Marleen Meyers from NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center says it’s important to incorporate things such as berries and leafy greens into your diet. You’ve heard that one before. Even if they don’t actually prevent cancer in a direct way, they do contribute to overall health.
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