A Mediterranean diet has potential to reduce the chance of breast cancer

IT’S a very simple way of eating and the recipes are freely available, but now it also turns out it could cut your risk of a certain type of cancer, too.

EATING a Mediterranean diet of vegetables, fish and olive oil could potentially decrease your risk of breast cancer, according to new research.

Macaque monkeys fed a Mediterranean diet were shown to have healthier breast tissue than those that ate Western, high-fat and highly-processed diets.

After 31 months, the breast tissue of monkeys on Mediterranean diets contained ten times more lactobacillus — a good bacteria often added to probiotics and shown to decrease tumour growth.

The US researchers said it was too early to say what impact a Mediterranean diet might have on breast cancer risk, but hoped to explore the link further.

Diet has been extensively studied as a lifestyle factor that could influence breast cancer development.

Swinburne University researcher Gioconda Ceravolo with fresh fruit and veggies, whole grains, legumes and moderate levels of oily fish, olive oil and dairy products, common in the Mediterranean diet. Picture: David Caird.

Breast cancer risk in women is increased by consumption of a high-fat Western diet full of sweets and processed foods.

Study author of the Wake Forest School of Medicine Katherine Cook said it was previously unknown what possible factors could change the breast tissue microbiome.

“Diet is a strong influencer on the gut microbiome, so we decided to test the hypothesis that diet can impact mammary gland microbiots populations,” she said.

Dietitians Desi Carlos and Lisa Peterson of Two Greek Girls Cooking, said they weren’t surprised by the results.

“There are many studies around the efficacy of the Mediterranean Diet for chronic disease prevention and longevity,” Ms Carlos said.

The diet consists of lots of seafood, fresh nutritious vegetables and fruit, whole grains and dairy plus the abundant use of olive oil.

“It’s all about balance, and that includes the occasional treat and glass of good quality red wine,” Ms Carlos said.

Lisa Peterson enjoys the Mediterranean diet. Picture: Annette Dew

The pair has organised Australia’s first Mediterranean Diet Expo, to be held in Brisbane on October 21 at The Greek Club.

“In the Mediterranean culture we grew up with, food isn’t a side thought, it’s an expression and a celebration,” Ms Peterson said.

“Traditionally, Mediterranean people grow and cook food at home, and it is eaten together often. It’s very mindful and the bonus is, traditional recipes are borne from the abundance of highly nutritious foods.”

Speakers at the event will include a clinical psychologist, a general practitioner specialising in diabetes, an exercise physiologist, dietitians, an oral health specialist, a psychiatrist and renowned cardiologist Dr David Colquhoun.

Dr Colquhoun said a Mediterranean-type diet was associated with very low rates of heart attack, stroke and depression.

Tickets for the expo can be purchase via their website, twogreekgirls.com