Mediterranean Diet May Help Slow Progression of Prostate Cancer

The foundation of the Mediterranean diet is vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans, and whole grains, along with moderate amounts of dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood. A new study suggests that following the Mediterranean diet may be associated with a slower progression of localized prostate cancer.

Participants in the study included 410 men with localized prostate cancer who were on an active surveillance protocol. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire, and a Mediterranean diet score was calculated for each participant. Evaluations of prostate cancer progression were performed every 6 months for 3 years.

The researchers found that participants with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet had the lowest risk of progression of prostate cancer. Every one-point increase in a participants’ Mediterranean diet score was associated with an up to 10% lower risk of progression. The effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on prostate cancer progression was most pronounced in participants who were African American or non-white.

The study was conducted by researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.It was published online ahead of print on January 7, 2021 in the journal Cancer.