A diet rich in mushrooms and green tea may considerably lower the risk of developing breast cancer in women, new research has shown.

 

About 2,000 Chinese women were involved in the study conducted by Dr. Min Zhang of the University of Western Australia in Perth and colleagues. Half of them consumed mushrooms, while the other half reported no mushroom consumption at all.

 

The researchers found that that women who ate the freshest mushrooms, 10 grams or more daily, were roughly two thirds less likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who consumed no mushrooms. Moreover, those who ate 4 grams or more of dried mushrooms daily halved their cancer risk compared with women who ate no mushrooms.

 

In addition to that, women who ate mushrooms and also drank green tea on daily basis had only 11 to 18 percent of the breast cancer risk of women who consumed neither.

 

“Both green tea and mushrooms have previously been reported to lower cancer risk. While this study adds to the evidence, more research is needed to confirm these observations and find out if they are relevant to UK women,” Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK’s senior science information manager, said.

 

However, she added that there is no magic food or pill that can keep you away from cancer. The best thing you can do to reduce your risk of many cancers is to eat a healthy, balanced diet.