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A recent study from the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) has found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with a modest reduction in the risk of obesity-related cancers. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, reported a 6% lower cancer risk among participants with high MedDiet adherence, independent of adiposity measures.
Study Overview
The study, titled “Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Obesity-Linked Cancer Risk in EPIC,” focused on obesity-related cancers classified under the 2015 International Agency for Research on Cancer criteria. Researchers analyzed data from 450,111 participants across 23 centers in 10 European countries, enrolled between 1992 and 2000.
Participants’ dietary intake was assessed using validated country-specific questionnaires, and adherence to the MedDiet was measured using a 9-point Mediterranean Diet Score (MedDiet). Individuals were categorized into low (0–3), medium (4–6), or high (7–9) adherence groups.
Key Findings
During a median follow-up of 14.9 years, 4.9% of participants developed obesity-related cancers. The study found that:
- High MedDiet adherence was linked to a lower risk of obesity-related cancers (hazard ratio [HR], 0.94) compared to low adherence.
- Medium adherence showed a similar but statistically insignificant inverse association.
- No significant mediation by body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was observed.
- Site-specific analyses indicated reduced risks for colorectal (HR, 0.92), hepatocellular (HR, 0.52), and kidney (HR, 0.67) cancers among those with high adherence.
- Medium adherence was associated with a lower risk of esophageal cancer (HR, 0.66), but no significant associations emerged for hormone-related cancers in women.
- Stronger inverse associations were observed among smokers and men.
Implications and Future Research
The findings suggest that adherence to the Mediterranean diet may reduce obesity-related cancer risks through mechanisms unrelated to adiposity. While the study did not examine potential effects of ultra-processed food consumption directly, researchers acknowledged that a higher MedDiet adherence often correlates with lower intake of highly processed foods. Recent studies, including several from EPIC, have consistently linked processed food consumption with increased cancer risks, raising the possibility that the benefits of the Mediterranean diet may stem, at least in part, from the avoidance of such foods.
Future research is needed to explore underlying biological pathways, such as inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and gut microbiota, to better understand the protective effects of the Mediterranean diet against cancer.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individuals should consult healthcare professionals before making dietary changes. The study findings should be interpreted in the context of ongoing research, and further studies are required to confirm the long-term benefits of the Mediterranean diet on cancer risk reduction.
