According to a study by Chinese scientists, you could reduce the chance of developing stomach cancer if you consume more white vegetables, such as cauliflower and potatoes. It is said that stomach cancer causes 13 deaths per day in Britain.
The study also states that preserved food, beer and spirits, as well as salt raises the risk of contracting stomach cancer.
The research also found that those who consumed large amounts of white vegetables are less likely of developing the cancer by a third, compared to those who avoid eating such vegetables. Fruits, as well as green-yellow vegetables, such as cabbage and celery, can also have a protective effect.
Vitamin C is thought to be the important nutrient which works as an antioxidant to reduce cellular stress in the stomach. Vitamin C also fights a bacterium which is broadly blamed for inducing gastric cancer.
Stomach cancer is one of the world's most common cancerous diseases, however, it seems to have declined in countries such as Britain, probably due to people refrigerating their food, which allows them to consume more fresh food.
In the UK, 1 in 64 men, as well as 1 in 120 women are diagnosed with stomach cancer during their lifespan. In 2012, there were nearly 7,000 new cases of the cancer, while there were 4,800 reported deaths.
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What to eat:
- White vegetables, such as potatoes, cauliflower and onions; green and yellow vegetables, such as kale, celery and cabbage; fruits, especially oranges and grapefruit.
- People tend to disassociate onions and potatoes as part of their five a day vegetables. However, surveys have suggested that these vegetables are beneficial in reducing the risk of stomach cancer.
- Consuming 50mg of vitamin C daily, which is the equivalent of about two potatoes, reduces the risk by 8%, while 100g of fruits a day makes one 5% less likely of developing stomach cancer.
Eat less of:
- Salt, especially as a preservative; alcohol such as beer and spirits; processed meat and liver.
- Every five gram teaspoon of salt consumed daily could increase your chance of developing cancer by 12%.
- Eating liver, spinach and pickled vegetables in excess is said to increase the risk of developing the disease.
