Mediterranean Diet and a Reduced Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer

A study in Spain found that men who ate a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes and olive oil were less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer.

The study looked at three dietary patterns: the Western, Prudent, and Mediterranean diets. The Western diet included consumption of large amounts of fatty dairy products, refined grains, processed meat, high-calorie beverages, sweets, fast food and sauces. The Prudent diet consisted of low-fat dairy products whole grains, fruits, vegetables and juices. The Mediterranean diet included high intake of fish, boiled potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and olive oil, as well as small amounts of juices.

Men who highly adhered to the Mediterranean diet had a 33% lower risk of having prostate cancer with a Gleason score over 6. They also had a 51% lower risk of having cancer with clinical stages T2b to T4 (which would indicate the cancer is progressing.)

The other two dietary patterns showed little or no correlation with prostate cancer risk.

“Our results show that a diet oriented towards the prevention of aggressive tumors in the prostate should probably include important elements of the Mediterranean diet such as fish, legumes, and olive oil, and suggest that a high intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains might not be enough.”
-lead investigator Beatriz Perez-Gomez, PhD
Cancer Environmental Epidemiology Unit, National Center for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Madrid)