Want to reduce your risk of developing cancer? Eat more POTATOES, say experts

The humble potato often tops the 'no' list for dieters

IF YOU want an excuse to carb load, look no further.

 

You can bake it, mash it, fry it and fill it with cheese and ham. 

A winter-warming favourite, the humble potato often tops the ‘no’ list for dieters. 

 

But scientists may have just given us the perfect excuse to put jacket potato back on the menu. 

A new study has shown that eating potatoes and cabbage can help reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer. 

 



Studies have shown that eating potatoes can reduce the risk of stomach cancer



It revealed that people who eat a large amount of white vegetables including onions and cauliflower were a third less likely to develop the disease.

But the risk was then increased again through alcohol, preserved food and salt consumption. 

The research, conducted by scientists at Zhejiang University in China, found that for every 100g of fruit eaten daily the risk of stomach cancer came down by five per cent. 

 



If you want an excuse to carb load, look no further



The risk was reduced by eight per cent for every 50mg of vitamin C consumed - which is the equivalent of two potatoes. 

In the report, the leaders of the study said: “The decreasing incidence of gastric cancer in developed countries may be partly the results of increased use of refrigeration, availability of fresh fruit and vegetables, and decreased reliance on salted or preserved foods.

"Both fruit and white vegetables are rich sources of vitamin C, which showed significant protective effect against gastric cancer by our analysis.

 

Eating a large amount of white vegetables may reduce your risk of stomach cancer by a third

"Furthermore… we found a strong effect of alcohol consumption, particularly beer and liquor but not wine, on gastric cancer risk was observed compared with nondrinkers.

"This study provides comprehensive and strong evidence that there are a number of protective and risk factors for gastric cancer in diet."

Approximately 13 people in the UK die from stomach cancer each day.