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Eating pizza 'cuts cancer risk'
BBC ^ | 6/12/06 | staff

Posted on 06/12/2006 3:17:10 PM PDT by pissant

Italian researchers say eating pizza could protect against cancer. Researchers claim eating pizza regularly reduced the risk of developing oesophageal cancer by 59%.

The risk of developing colon cancer also fell by 26% and mouth cancer by 34%, they claimed.

The secret could be lycopene, an antioxidant chemical in tomatoes, which is thought to offer some protection against cancer, and which gives the fruit its traditional red colour.

But some experts cast doubt on the idea that pizza consumption was the explanation for why some people did not develop cancer.

They said other foods or dietary habits could play a part.

Lifestyle

The researchers looked at 3,300 people who had developed cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, throat or colon and 5,000 people who had not developed cancer.

They were asked about their eating habits, and how often they ate pizza.

Those who ate pizza at least once a week had less chance of developing cancer, they found.

Dr Silvano Gallus, of the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmaceutical Research in Milan, who led the research: "We knew that tomato sauce could offer protection against certain tumours, but we did not expect pizza as a complete meal also to offer such protective powers."

Nicola O'Connor, of Cancer Research UK, told BBC News Online: "This study is interesting and the results should probably be looked at in the context of what we already know about the Mediterranean diet and it's association with a lower risk of certain types of cancer.

"But before people start dialling the pizza takeaway, they should consider that pizza can be high in saturated fat, salt and calories.

"In contrast to the classic Italian pizza, UK varieties are often loaded with high fat cheeses and fatty meats, a high intake of which can contribute to obesity, itself a risk factor for cancer.

"Our advice is to enjoy pizza in moderation as part of a balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruit."

Mediterranean diet

And Carlo La Vecchia, a Milan-based epidemiologist said pizza-lovers should not see the research as a licence to indulge their fondness for the food.

"There is nothing to indicate that pizza is the only thing responsible for these results."

He told AFP news agency: "Pizza could simply be indicative of a lifestyle and food habits, in other words the Italian version of a Mediterranean diet."

A Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, fibre, vegetables, fruit, flour and freshly cooked food - including non-frozen, home-made pizza.


TOPICS: Food; Gardening; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: pizza; thepissantdiet
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To: pissant

Well, I can mark "fear of cancer" off of my Phobia List!

The thesis of one of the first essays I use to teach the kids how to write a Shaffer Essay is: "Pizza is the Perfect Food."

Who knew?


41 posted on 06/12/2006 4:07:36 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: pissant

If I am not mistaken, I just saw on another thread that beer prevents prostate cancer. Pizza and beer....Life is good!


42 posted on 06/12/2006 4:07:55 PM PDT by neal1960 (This space for rent.)
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To: teenyelliott

You guys, seriously...it contains all of the four food groups!


43 posted on 06/12/2006 4:09:55 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: pissant
This guy refused to eat pizza

and look what happened to him:


44 posted on 06/12/2006 4:10:19 PM PDT by MrCruncher
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To: MrCruncher

Good lord!


45 posted on 06/12/2006 4:10:57 PM PDT by EveningStar
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To: MrCruncher

Gott im Himmel! What is the caption for those pictures? What IS wrong with the poor fellow???


46 posted on 06/12/2006 4:12:18 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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Comment #47 Removed by Moderator

To: bannie

I don't know.

I found him when I did an image search under "skinny men" at Google.


48 posted on 06/12/2006 4:14:48 PM PDT by MrCruncher
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To: MrCruncher

A young Hank Williams?


49 posted on 06/12/2006 4:14:55 PM PDT by neal1960 (This space for rent.)
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To: MrCruncher

Give that boy a pizza!!! He's scarin' me!!!


50 posted on 06/12/2006 4:24:37 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: bannie

Apparently, you did! ;o)


51 posted on 06/12/2006 4:26:40 PM PDT by pissant
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To: neal1960

Yep. And we alreday know that scantily clad women are good for circulation.


52 posted on 06/12/2006 4:27:24 PM PDT by pissant
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To: MrCruncher

Ugh!


53 posted on 06/12/2006 4:27:46 PM PDT by pissant
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To: yellowbird

Better than a bitter one. ;o)


54 posted on 06/12/2006 4:28:32 PM PDT by pissant
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Comment #55 Removed by Moderator

To: pissant

:-o


56 posted on 06/12/2006 4:31:16 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: pissant

Ted Kennedy always drinks Irish Coffee for breakfast because it contains all four adult food groups:

fat, sugar, caffeine and alcohol.


57 posted on 06/12/2006 4:35:51 PM PDT by MrCruncher
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To: pissant

Ugh?

and post #33 was any better?


58 posted on 06/12/2006 4:37:34 PM PDT by motormouth (Most folks are about as happy as they make up thier minds to be.)
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To: pissant
Hey, hey, hey... pizza eating to fight cancer!
59 posted on 06/12/2006 4:42:24 PM PDT by FormerACLUmember (No program, no ideas, no clue: The democrats!)
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To: BJClinton
The McDonald's Research Institute released a study that eating hamburgers and fries reduces cancer and improves sex drive.

Do I have to get it with ketchup and pickles?
60 posted on 06/12/2006 5:52:28 PM PDT by Jade01 (Could Be)
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