Does the DASH diet reduce the risk of cancer?

    Last Updated: July 4, 2024

    Given the DASH diet’s recommendations regarding fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and saturated fats, it seems logical that it might affect the risk of developing various types of cancer. Multiple observational studies have shown a decreased risk of developing colon cancer as a result of the DASH diet.[1][2][3][4][5] While there is less evidence available for other types of cancer, there may be a decreased risk of developing breast cancer,[6][7][8] prostate cancer,[9][10] lung cancer,[11] and endometrial cancer.[2]

    The term cancer incorporates multiple different conditions and does not describe one disease process. While the DASH diet may decrease the risk of developing several different types of cancer, further research is needed to find out the mechanisms and the extent to which it affects the risk for each type.

    References

    1. ^Mohseni R, Mohseni F, Alizadeh S, Abbasi SThe Association of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet with the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.Nutr Cancer.(2020)
    2. ^Ali Mohsenpour M, Fallah-Moshkani R, Ghiasvand R, Khosravi-Boroujeni H, Mehdi Ahmadi S, Brauer P, Salehi-Abargouei AAdherence to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-Style Diet and the Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.J Am Coll Nutr.(2019 Aug)
    3. ^Hadith Tangestani, Asma Salari-Moghaddam, Hamid Ghalandari, Hadi EmamatAdherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern reduces the risk of colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysisClin Nutr.(2020 Feb 7)
    4. ^Fung TT, Hu FB, Wu K, Chiuve SE, Fuchs CS, Giovannucci EThe Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets and colorectal cancer.Am J Clin Nutr.(2010 Dec)
    5. ^Onvani S, Haghighatdoost F, Azadbakht LDietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH): diet components may be related to lower prevalence of different kinds of cancer: A review on the related documents.J Res Med Sci.(2015 Jul)
    6. ^Toorang F, Sasanfar B, Esmaillzadeh A, Zendehdel KAdherence to the DASH Diet and Risk of Breast Cancer.Clin Breast Cancer.(2022 Apr)
    7. ^Heidari Z, Mohammadi E, Aghamohammadi V, Jalali S, Rezazadeh A, Sedaghat F, Assadi M, Rashidkhani BDietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets and breast cancer among women: a case control study.BMC Cancer.(2020 Jul 29)
    8. ^Soltani S, Benisi-Kohansal S, Azadbakht L, Esmaillzadeh AAssociation between Adherence to "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" Eating Plan and Breast Cancer.Nutr Cancer.(2021)
    9. ^Schneider L, Su LJ, Arab L, Bensen JT, Farnan L, Fontham ETH, Song L, Hussey J, Merchant AT, Mohler JL, Steck SEDietary patterns based on the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet are inversely associated with high aggressive prostate cancer in PCaP.Ann Epidemiol.(2019 Jan)
    10. ^Oczkowski M, Dziendzikowska K, Pasternak-Winiarska A, Włodarek D, Gromadzka-Ostrowska JDietary Factors and Prostate Cancer Development, Progression, and Reduction.Nutrients.(2021 Feb 3)
    11. ^Park SY, Boushey CJ, Shvetsov YB, Wirth MD, Shivappa N, Hébert JR, Haiman CA, Wilkens LR, Le Marchand LDiet Quality and Risk of Lung Cancer in the Multiethnic Cohort Study.Nutrients.(2021-May-12)