Alternative Health Blog

In a prospective study involving 35,159 women aged 55-69 years, results indicate higher intake of fruits and vegetables may be associated with a lower risk of non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), particularly follicular lymphoma. During 19 years of follow-up, 415 cases of NHL, including 90 cases of follicular lymphoma were identified. Diet information was gathered using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. After adjusting for potential confounders, the highest quartiles of intake of total fruits and vegetables, yellow/orange vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, and apple juice/cider were associated with 31%, 28%,18%, 28%, and 35% reduced risks of NHL, respectively, compared with the corresponding lowest quartiles of intakes. Additionally, the highest quartiles of dietary intakes of vitamin C (22% reduced risk), alpha-carotene (29% reduced risk), proanthocyanidins (30% reduced risk) and manganese (38% reduc ed risk) were independently associated with reduced risks of NHL, compared with the lowest quartiles of dietary intakes. These associations were mainly observed for follicular lymphoma. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "these results support a role for vegetables and perhaps fruits, and associated antioxidants from food sources, as protective factors against the development of NHL and follicular lymphoma in particular."

Reference:
"Antioxidant intake from fruits, vegetables and other sources and risk of non-hodgkin lymphoma: The iowa women's health study," Thompson CA, Cerhan JR, et al, Int J Cancer, 2009 Aug 14; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA