Vegetables and prostate cancer:
A population-based, case–control study, performed on 238 patients with prostate cancer and 471 male control subjects in China, investigated the association between intake of allium vegetables including garlic, scallions, onions, chives, and leeks, and the risk of prostate cancer. It was found that men in the category of highest intake of allium vegetables (>10 g day-1) had a 49% risk reduction of developing prostate cancer than did those in the category of lowest intake (2.2 g day-1). Reductions in risk for men in the highest intake categories (compared to the lowest intake categories) for garlic was 53% (OR = 0.47) and 70% for scallions consumption (OR = 0.30). These benefits were more significant in men with localized, rather than advanced prostate cancer and were independent of body size, intake of other foods and total calorie intake. These results suggest that the allium group of vegetables has some cancer preventative properties and it may be worthwhile to increase their intake. (4)
