European study shows: Soya effective against prostate cancer
New research shows that natural ingredients in soya have a protective effect against prostate cancer. Men with higher levels of genistein (a phyto-oestrogen, which is naturally present in soya) in their blood have a 26% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men with lower levels of genistein. This was shown by a European study carried out in 137,000 men, researching the link between phyto-oestrogens and the risk of prostate cancer.
No less than 137,000 men participated in the European EPIC study on the impact of nutrition on cancer, which ran from 1992 to 2003. The men came from eight European countries: The Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Spain and Greece. During the study 950 men with an average age of 64, were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The phyto-oestrogen levels in the blood of these men were compared with a control group of 1,042 men who did not develop prostate cancer. The men with prostate cancer had lower genistein levels in their blood than the men who did not develop prostate cancer. The risk of prostate cancer was found to be significantly lower (26% lower) for those with higher levels of genistein in their blood. Corrections were made for other factors that may be significant such as smoking, BMI and physical activity. No link was found between prostate cancer and other phyto-oestrogens such as lignans from seeds.
The researchers concluded that genistein has a favourable effect in combating prostate cancer, regardless of the age of the men. Genistein is a natural ingredient of soya. Food products based on soya such as tofu, soya drinks, soya desserts and soya yoghurt (yofu) are important sources of this. These foods can easily be integrated into an everyday diet, for example in breakfast cereals, as a healthy snack or as a delicious dessert.
Source: Travis, R. C., et al. "Plasma phyto-oestrogens and prostate cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition." Br J Cancer (2009).
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