Study: Flavonoid-Rich Foods Linked to Lower Risk of Ovarian Cancer

After a long day, do you like to enjoy a nice cup of organic black or green tea with a slice of lemon? If so, you have yourself a very healthy habit, indeed. New research from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom has associated foods rich in flavonoid antioxidants, such as tea and citrus fruits, with a lower risk of ovarian cancer in women.

The study was large-scale and long-term, consisting of just under 172,000 women between the ages of 25 and 55, whose diet and health information was tracked for over 30 years. Results of the analysis showed that the women who frequently consumed foods and beverages high in flavonoid antioxidants had a markedly lower risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer.

Study leader Aedin Cassidy summarizes:

“We found that women who consume foods high in two sub-groups of powerful substances called flavonoids — flavonols and flavanones — had a significantly lower risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer. The main sources of these compounds include tea and citrus fruits and juices, which are readily incorporated into the diet, suggesting that simple changes in food intake could have an impact on reducing ovarian cancer risk. In particular, just a couple of cups of black tea every day was associated with a 31 per cent reduction in risk.”

Tea, one of the main flavonoid-rich foods highlighted by the study, has long been known to be a powerhouse of nutrition. We reported on a study  presented by the European Society of Cardiology, which found that drinking black tea on a regular basis may reduce the risk of death from noncardiovascular causes by 24 percent. The flavonoid antioxidants in this popular beverage are anti-inflammatory and can therefore reduce the risk of a host of chronic illnesses.

This study also puts a spotlight on citrus fruits, including lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and kumquats. These fruits are high in vitamin C, which along with combating inflammation also gives a significant boost to the immune system. Citrus fruits also contain a wealth of other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential oils. While the nutritional profile of each type differs, oranges, for example, contain several B-vitamins and the minerals copper, calcium and potassium.

Looking for a fun way to drink your freshly-squeezed, organic citrus juices? Check out our fun citrus juice combos.

-The Alternative Daily

Sources:
https://www.uea.ac.uk/mac/comm/media/press/2014/October/ovarian-cancer-tea
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2014/08/20/ajcn.114.088708.abstract
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/looking-delicious-way-add-years-life-try-organic-tea
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/3-fresh-citrus-juices-can-make-home
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=37