Tea, citrus fruit tied to lower ovarian cancer risk

October 31, 2014 in Cancer Prevention, Nutrition Topics in the News, Women's Health

Tea, citrus fruit tied to lower ovarian cancer risk

Tea and citrus fruits and juices are associated with a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA). This is the first large-scale study looking into whether habitual intake of different flavonoids can reduce the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer.

The research reveals that women who consume foods containing flavonols and flavanones (both subclasses of dietary flavonoids) significantly decrease their risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer, the fifth-leading cause of cancer death among women.

The research team studied the dietary habits of 171,940 women aged between 25 and 55 for more than three decades.

The team found that those who consumed food and drinks high in flavonols (found in tea, red wine, apples and grapes) and flavanones (found in citrus fruit and juices) were less likely to develop the disease.

The main sources of these compounds include tea and citrus fruits and juices, which are readily incorporated into the diet, suggesting that simple changes in food intake could have an impact on reducing ovarian cancer risk.

In particular, just a couple of cups of black tea every day was associated with a 31 per cent reduction in risk.

The study was led by researchers from the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Data was derived from the Nurses' Health Study.

Source:  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 2014.

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