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Mushrooms, Green Tea Cut Breast Cancer Risk

Study shows big effect among Chinese women

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 18, 2009 11:25 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A mushroom a day could keep breast cancer away, according to a study that looked at the diets of more than 2,000 Chinese women. Their rates of the disease are four to five times lower than the worldwide average, and part of the reason may be the chemicals that naturally occur in mushrooms and green tea, reports AFP.

The beneficial effects of mushrooms also showed up within the population studied: The women who ate the most were two-thirds less likely to develop breast cancer, and among those who did develop the disease, its severity was much lower for the mushroom eaters. Adding green tea further increased the benefits.The results, said the lead researcher,  "have potential implications for protection against breast cancer development using an inexpensive dietary intervention."

Mario had the start of a good idea, though so far the health-boosting effects of mushrooms have only been shown in Chinese women and not diminutive, Italian plumbers.
Mario had the start of a good idea, though so far the health-boosting effects of mushrooms have only been shown in Chinese women and not diminutive, Italian plumbers.   (©Handolio)
Green tea seemed to boost the anti-cancer effect that mushrooms had in a large sample of Chinese women.
Green tea seemed to boost the anti-cancer effect that mushrooms had in a large sample of Chinese women.   (©Stephen Cummings)
The high prevalence of mushrooms in the diets of Chinese women is thought to decrease the risk of contracting breast cancer, and to lessen the disease's severity if it does strike.
The high prevalence of mushrooms in the diets of Chinese women is thought to decrease the risk of contracting breast cancer, and to lessen the disease's severity if it does strike.   (©wickenden)
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COMMENTS
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Not necessarily a causal relationshipm, but exciting
Sydney Morning Herald

Natural chemicals could block tumor growth
BBC

 
China • breast cancer • scientific study • cancer rates • mushrooms • green tea

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