STUDY REVEALS EATING VEGETABLES MAY REDUCE LIVER CANCER RISK BY 65 PERCENT

New Delhi, 17th February 2025: A recent study has found that consuming vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables and lettuce, may significantly reduce the risk of liver cancer by up to 65 percent. The research, conducted as part of the US NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, analyzed data from 470,653 participants aged 50-71 years over a median follow-up period of 15.5 years.

The study, published in the American Association for Cancer Research journal, revealed that higher intake of total vegetables was associated with a lower risk of liver cancer. Specifically, individuals in the highest quintile of vegetable consumption had a 34% lower risk of liver cancer compared to those in the lowest quintile.

Dr. Longgang Zhao, lead researcher of the study, stated, “Our findings suggest that a vegetable-based dietary pattern is associated with reduced liver cancer risk. The observed inverse association was mainly driven by cruciferous vegetables, lettuce, legumes, and carrots.”

The research also found that higher vegetable intake was linked to a 40% lower risk of liver disease mortality. Notably, total fruit intake did not show a significant association with liver cancer risk or liver disease mortality.

In light of these findings, nutritionists recommend increasing the consumption of vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, as well as lettuce, legumes, and carrots, to potentially reduce the risk of liver cancer.

The study’s results align with previous research suggesting that plant-based diets may have protective effects against various types of cancer. A 2013 study published in Cancer Science also found that a vegetable-based dietary pattern was associated with reduced liver cancer risk in Chinese populations.

As liver cancer incidence has tripled in the US since the 1980s, these findings provide valuable insights into potential dietary strategies for prevention. However, experts caution that while increasing vegetable consumption is beneficial, it should be part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

The research underscores the importance of nutrition in cancer prevention and highlights the need for further studies to understand the mechanisms behind the protective effects of vegetables against liver cancer.