Eating dark chocolate and bell peppers reduces the risk of oral cancer by about 25%
Dec 26, 2024
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A joint team of researchers from China's Yujiang University School of Medicine and Guilin University School of Medicine observed and studied the eating habits of about 10,000 people.
About one-third of these patients were diagnosed with oral cancer.
The research team conducted an investigation into the link between food types and the likelihood of developing oral cancer.
Food and beverages were categorized into 10 categories: tea, alcoholic beverages, coffee, chocolate, cooked vegetables, fresh fruits, and fish.
As a result, the dark chocolate intake group had a 22% lower risk of oral tumors, and the sweet pepper (sweet peppers such as bell peppers and paprika) intake group was about 26% lower.
On the other hand, vegetables and fruits had minimal oral tumor suppression effect.
Cocoa, the main component of dark chocolate, contains a lot of methylxanthine compounds such as theobromine and caffeine.
The researchers described "These substances have strong antioxidant effects and can potentially prevent cancer development by reducing DNA damage and oxidative stress."
It is also said that "dark chocolate is rich in linoleic acid, which improves insulin sensitivity, thereby lowering cholesterol levels and fasting blood sugar levels in low-density lipoproteins.'
However, the researchers did not measure how much chocolate the subjects ate, only counting that it was a regular part of their diet""Further research is needed " he added.
The findings were recently published in the famous SCI-level journal Frontiers In Nutrition'.
Meanwhile, the recommended daily intake of dark chocolate is within 25-30g for adults, within 20g for adolescents and the elderly, and pregnant women are recommended to eat after consulting with a doctor.
bellho@sportschosun.com
