Healthnotes Newswire—Women who eat beans and lentils frequently have a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer than women who seldom eat them, according to a study in the International Journal of Cancer (2005;114:628–33).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in women. Many studies have examined the effects of specific dietary habits on the breast cancer risk and have found that diets high in fat (especially animal fat) and low in fiber have been linked to increased risk, while diets that include cold water fish (for example, salmon and tuna), lots of fruits and vegetables and other high-fiber foods might be protective. Some, but not all, studies have found that a vegetarian diet might be linked with a lower risk of breast cancer. Legumes, such as beans and lentils, are a major protein source in vegetarian diets. They are rich in some of the food components believed to protect against cancer, including antioxidants, fiber, and phytoestrogens. The possible breast cancer–protective effect of eating legumes has not been previously studied. More ...