Legume intake and colorectal cancer:
High consumption of legumes (beans, lentils) have been found to be associated with a decrease risk of various forms of cancer in a multisite case-control study of 11 cancer sites in Uruguay. Legume consumption and risk of various cancer were analyzed in 3,539 cancer cases and 2,032 cancer-free individuals. Comparing those who ate the most legumes (top 33%) against those who ate the least legumes (bottom 33%), high consumption of legumes was associated with a significant decrease in cancer risk of the oral cavity and pharynx (52% risk reduction), esophagus (46% risk reduction), larynx (45% risk reduction), upper aerodigestive tract (50% risk reduction, stomach (31% risk reduction), colorectum (57% risk reduction), kidney (59% risk reduction), and all sites combined (32% risk reduction). However, no significant association was found between legume consumption and risk of cancer of the lung, breast, prostate or bladder. (14)