In the U.S., one out of three people will get cancer sometime in their life — so it’s worth knowing how to reduce that risk. One way is to add more of a delicious, everyday food to your diet.
The Research
In a meta-analysis of 17 research projects reviewing over 20,000 cancer cases, researchers found that those who ate the most mushrooms daily had a 34% lower risk of cancer compared to those who ate the least. For every 10 grams of mushrooms consumed per day, researchers found an associated reduction in cancer risk — meaning that increasing mushroom intake by 20 grams per day was linked to that 34% lower risk overall.
The Takeaway
To help reduce your cancer risk, consider making mushrooms a regular part of your diet. For other evidence-based strategies, see Dr. Shintani’s lecture on additional ways to help control cancer risk at peacediet.org.
About Dr. Terry Shintani, MD, JD, MPH
Dr. Terry Shintani is a Harvard-trained physician and nutritionist, named a Living Treasure of Hawai’i and recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Award for Excellence. He is the creator of the Peace Diet and the landmark Waianae Diet — published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and cited over 137 times — and the author of 16 books on natural health and nutrition, drawing on more than 35 years of clinical practice in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Learn more about Dr. Shintani’s work and recognition: NLM Native Voices
Sources:
- NIH/PubMed — Mushroom Consumption and Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis
- NIH/PubMed — Dietary Mushroom Intake and Cancer Incidence: Dose-Response Analysis
- American Institute for Cancer Research — Mushrooms and Cancer Prevention