Veg Out

Good news about the fifth most common cancer in women: Certain compounds in produce may lower the risk of pancreatic cancer, reports a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Scientists examined three flavonols – kaempferol (found in spinach and cabbage), quercetin (in apples and onions), and myricetin (in red onions and berries) – by 183,518 people over 8 years. They found that those who ate the most foods containing these flavonols were 23 percent less likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who ate the least. Scientists aren’t sure why, but flavonols have been found to prevent damaged cells from reproducing and to kill off cancerous cells, lead study author Ute Noethlings, Dr.P.H., explains. It’s unclear how many servings of flavonol-full foods reduce risk, but strive for at least five servings of produce per day.