The recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines were welcomed enthusiastically by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). AICR is a leading American cancer research organization that concentrates on the role of diet, weight, and physical activity on cancer risk and survival. AICR experts say the Dietary Guidelines put the emphasis in all the right areas when it comes to cancer prevention, particularly the area relating obesity to cancer risk.
“We’re thrilled to see obesity prevention, and thus cancer prevention, being placed front-and-center where they belong,” AICR researcher, Susan Higginbotham said.
A major area of emphasis in the Guidelines was the benefits of a plant-based diet; the importance of consuming fresh vegetables and fruits was heavily stressed.
“For years, the science on cancer risk has shown that diets emphasizing a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans are cancer-protective,” Higginbotham affirmed.
The Guidelines also emphasized avoiding sugary drinks and highly processed, calorie-dense foods, and limiting sodium intake. The link between excess body fat and the development of many types of cancers has been increasingly strengthened. Colecretal, esophageal, endometrial, kidney, pancreas, post-menopausal breast, and gallbladder cancers have all been linked to obesity.
Experts at AICR say that the 2010 Dietary Guidelines clearly present the best advice for preventing not only cancer and obesity, but heart disease and many other chronic diseases as well. An estimated 1/3 of the most common types of cancer could have been prevented through healthy diets and increased physical activity, according to AICR.
“What the Dietary Guidelines are saying is we must all work to make it easier for Americans to make healthy choices. That's something we at AICR agree with,” Higginbotham said.
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