Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you if you get sick (with cancer and more) – WWN

Are we what we eat? The correct answer, according to hundreds of studies published in the most prestigious scientific journals, is undoubtedly yes: ours state of health is the mirror of what we ingest in terms of food, drink and smoking. With the fundamental addition ofphysical activity that we practice and the resulting waist measurement.
How do Italians eat and how are they? To answer questions I started on YOUGOODY projectconceived, coordinated and managed directly by the team of researchers of the Epidemiology and Prevention Structure of the National Cancer Institute of Milan (Int), in collaboration with Esselunga.

to come to understand that Lifestyles, primarily what we put on our plates, are at the origin of over a third of cancers. And that we can do a lot for limit the chances of getting sick: a lot depends on our eating habits, smoking, overweight, obesity and lack of physical activity. Fundamental indications came from the international EPIC study (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition), which began at the National Cancer Institute of Milan in the early 1990s and involved over 13 thousand people: it was the first research in the world to demonstrate a link between cancer and lifestyle – underlines Elio Riboli, professor of Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention at the School of Public Health of Imperial College London, European coordinator and principal investigator of EPIC -. Thanks to EPIC, very solid data on the relationship between has been published since 2004 consumption of red meat and sausages and colon cancer and risk reduction associated with consumption of foods rich in plant fibers, coming in particular from whole grains and vegetables. And EPIC has always made it possible to highlight the negative impact ofinsulin resistance on the increased risk of some forms of cancer, including post-menopausal breast cancer.

Foods that help prevent cancer

The information collected by scientists for more than half a century leaves no doubt: a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and relatively low in red meat, sausages and foods rich in animal fats help ap

come back the canceror. While excessive consumption of alcohol and sweet drinks, whether based on sugar or artificial sweeteners, contributes to triggering negative mechanisms in the body that can favor the formation of a neoplasm. As scientific research progressed, however, eating habits (and not only) changed all over the world. Often not for the better, especially when you consider the constant increase in overweight and obese adults and children, also in Italy, while among the Extra pounds are known risk factors for at least six types of cancers different: endometrium, colon rectum, esophagus, kidney, pancreas and breast, especially among post-menopausal women. the number of meals consumed outside the home has increased and (with globalisation) also the number and type of foods, with the precious Mediterranean diet that is losing ground, while it remains the healthiest diet. However, unfortunately, the amount of hours spent outdoors and staying physically active is decreasing, but sedentary lifestyle is the enemy of health. Over the last 30 years, food tastes have changed – continues Riboli -. Just think for example of the increase in those who are choosing a meat-free, vegetarian or vegan diet and in general the increase in the single population which has led to a different concept of lunches and especially dinners. Now, with YOUGOODY it will be interesting examine the changes intervened and follow their progress over the years, with the aim also of understanding whether there is a relationship that can increase or decrease the risk of disease.

How to participate in the project

The project involves the involvement of at least 100 thousand people over 18 by June 2025, to understand food consumption, physical activity practiced, as well as other information regarding lifestyle and health status. L

to looking for volunteers has already started through the Esselunga communication channels and also on the YOUGOODY website (to join it is sufficient connect here And and follow the instructions), with the aim of expanding the number of participants in the study by involving the Central and Southern regions, including the islands, thanks to the support of the Municipalities, local health authorities and university centres. People who join are invited to fill out a series of detailed questionnaires relating to lifestyle and health status – clarifies Sabina Sieri, director of Epidemiology and Prevention at Int and responsible for the YouGoody project – . The predominant part is that of diet, divided into food groups, such as fruit and vegetables, cereals, meat, alcohol. The data we will obtain from the questionnaires will be used to identify new eating and behavioral styles which will then be related to the maintenance of a good state of health or to the onset or worsening of diseases such as diabetes, tumors and cardiovascular diseases.