5 To 10 A Day: Healthy Eating To Reduce Cancer Risk
Contributed by: News Canada
(NC) - Tune into the valuable catchphrase in healthy eating - "5 to 10 a Day" - a call to action to remind Canadians that eating 5 to 10 vegetables and fruit a day is an effective way to reduce cancer risk.
Unhealthy eating, being overweight and physical inactivity may be responsible for 30% of cancers in the developed world.
Why Vegetables and Fruits?
A diet rich in vegetables and fruit can reduce the risk of cancer. Some studies show that individuals who had a low intake of fruit and vegetables had about twice the risk of cancer as those with high intake. The cancers for which there is evidence of a protective effect from vegetables and fruits include lung, colon and rectum.
A serving of vegetables and fruit includes:
- 1/2 cup juice
- A medium sized vegetable or fruit
- 1/2 cup raw, cooked, frozen or canned vegetables or fruit
- 1/4 cup dried fruit
- 1 cup salad
With this in mind, the Canadian Cancer Society urges Canadians to think 5 to 10 a day everyday.
