Eating a Mediterranean diet is more than a trend. It is a pattern of food that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and olive oil. A new analysis looked at data from 17 different studies involving thousands of cancer patients. The goal was simple: does this eating pattern help people live longer after a cancer diagnosis.
The results were clear. People who stuck to this diet had a lower risk of dying from their cancer compared to those who did not. This benefit was seen across several common cancers, including breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer. The link was strongest for stomach cancer, where the diet was associated with a much lower risk of death.
The study also found that for breast cancer patients, those who followed the diet were less likely to have their cancer come back. This suggests the diet might help keep the disease under control. While this is a review of existing data, the evidence is considered moderate in strength. It is a promising and sustainable strategy that could be part of standard cancer care.