Do Organic Foods Lower Your Cancer Risk? – Cleveland Clinic

We’ve all heard of the benefits of eating organic food when it comes to healthy eating. But can going organic actually help reduce our risk of developing cancer? A new to study examined 68,946 people and followed them for about five years in an attempt to shed light on this issue.

People were divided into three groups: those who never ate organic food, those who ate it occasionally, and those who ate organic most of the time.

A decrease in certain cancers for organic eaters?

Oncologist Dale Shepard, MD, Ph.D., did not participate in the research, but says the study showed a decreased risk of certain cancers for those who ate more organic.

“What they found was that in patients who ate mostly organic foods, there was less cancer, especially after menopause. breast cancer and lymphomaExplains Dr. Shepard.

In addition to a reduction in breast cancer and postmenopausal lymphoma, the researchers found that those who ate organic foods also had fewer prostate cancer, skin cancer and colorectal cancers.

Is it an overall healthy diet or lifestyle?

Dr Shepard points out that people who eat organic foods also tend to eat healthier diets and exercise more, two traits that have been associated with reduced cancer risk.

While it’s hard to say at this point that eating organic is directly associated with reduced cancer risk, he says it’s always good to think of ways to try and prevent cancer, whether through further screening or by improving our lifestyles.

Eating heart-healthy food, whether specifically organic or not, is beneficial in reducing our risk of all cancers, notes Dr. Shepard.

“In general, we know that a healthier diet is better for you when it comes to cancer risk,” he says. “Anytime people can incorporate more fruits and vegetables and cut down on processed foods, the better. “

Dr Shepard says that while more research needs to be done to examine the role that organic foods can play in cancer prevention, it’s important for people to focus on the risk factors that are under their control. And eating healthy is something anyone can do.

The full results of the study are available in JAMA Internal Medicine.