Fruits and vegetables may reduce risk of lung cancer - Food Product Design

Fruits and vegetables may reduce risk of lung cancer - Food Product Design

ALBUQUERQUE—Dietary fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of lung cancer in current and former smokers, according to a new study published in the Cancer Journal.

Researchers examined sputum samples and food-frequency questionnaires from 1,100 current and former smokers to assess promoter methylation of eight genes commonly silenced in lung cancer and associated with risk for this disease. Methylation status was categorized as low (fewer than two genes methylated) or high (two or more genes methylated). Logistic regression models were used to identify associations between methylation status and 21 dietary variables hypothesized to affect the acquisition of gene methylation. Significant protection against methylation was observed for leafy green vegetables and folate. Protection against gene methylation also was seen with current use of multivitamins.