Scientists from New York University and collaborating institutions have found that eating a healthy plant-based diet is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, particularly aggressive forms of the disease.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States.
The disease often progresses slowly, and early detection and treatment may not always improve survival or quality of life.
Plant-based diets have been linked to numerous health benefits and environmental advantages. Previous research has suggested protective effects from certain plant foods—such as tomatoes—and potential risks associated with some animal products, including red meat and high-fat dairy.
However, the overall impact of plant-based dietary patterns on prostate cancer risk has remained unclear.
In the current study, researchers examined the relationship between plant-based diet indices and prostate cancer risk using data from more than 47,000 men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study between 1986 and 2014.
Dietary intake was assessed using detailed food questionnaires, allowing researchers to calculate overall and healthful plant-based diet indices.
During the follow-up period, 6,655 of the 47,239 participants were diagnosed with prostate cancer, including:
- 515 cases of advanced-stage disease at diagnosis
- 956 cases of lethal disease (metastasis or death)
- 806 deaths from prostate cancer
Higher consumption of plant-based foods was associated with a significantly lower risk of fatal prostate cancer.
Among men younger than 65, a higher plant-based diet score was linked to lower risks of advanced, lethal, and fatal prostate cancer. Greater adherence to a healthful plant-based diet was also associated with reduced risk of total prostate cancer and lethal disease in this age group.
In contrast, researchers found no significant association between plant-based diet indices and prostate cancer risk among men aged 65 and older.
Notably, fewer than 1% of participants followed a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, suggesting that even moderate increases in healthy plant food intake may offer benefits.
The results indicate that greater consumption of nutritious plant-based foods may help lower the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, particularly in men under 65. The findings emphasize that diet quality—rather than simply eliminating animal products—plays an important role in cancer prevention.
Researchers conclude that adopting a healthful plant-based dietary pattern could be a promising strategy for reducing the risk of severe prostate cancer outcomes.
The study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and conducted by Stacy Loeb and colleagues.
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