Olive Oil and Mediterranean Diet Lowers Breast Cancer Risk

Research suggests that women could lower their risk of developing breast cancer by eating a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil. Miguel A. Martínez-González, M.D., of the University of Navarra in Pamplona and CIBEROBN in Madrid, Spain, and coauthors studied the effects of eating two types of Mediterranean diet on breast cancer incidence. The authors analzyed data from more than 4000 women taking part in the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial, which was designed to test the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomly assigned to eat the Mediterranean diet supplemented with 1 liter per week of extra virgin olive oil, the Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts (30 g/day: 15 g walnuts, 7.5 g hazelnuts, 7.5 grams almonds) or the control diet with advice to reduce the fat intake. Results showed that women eating a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil had a 68% relatively lower risk of malignant breast cancer compared to women allocated to the control diet. Women eating the Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts had a nonsignificant risk reduction compared to women in the control group. The authors concluded: “The results of the PREDIMED trial suggest a beneficial effect of a MeDiet [Mediterranean diet] supplemented with extra virgin olive oil in the primary prevention of breast cancer. Preventive strategies represent the most sensible approach against cancer.”