Mushrooms Could Reduce Breast Cancer Risk by 64%

A study conducted jointly by the University of Western Australia and the Zhejiang University in China has found that eating mushrooms and drinking green tea could help protect against breast cancer.

The research team examined the mushroom and tea consumption of more than 2,000 women aged from 20 to 87 in relatively affluent south-east China. Half the women had confirmed breast cancer, and the others were healthy women recruited from outpatient clinics.

It was found that the the combination of dietary intake of mushrooms and green tea-drinking decreased breast cancer risk with an additional reduced effect on the malignance of cancer. The data were adjusted for other factors, such as physical activity, weight, menopause, alcohol consumption and smoking, including passive smoking.

If this research is confirmed in other studies there are implications for an inexpensive dietary chance to protect against breast cancer.

More information at www.mushroom-uk.com, where you’ll also find more great mushroom recipes like the one below.

Mushroom Recipe

Spicy Mushroom and Bean Chilli

Preparation: 10 mins
Cooking: 25-30 mins
Serves 4

Mushroom Recipe Ingredients
15ml/1tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 green pepper, roughly chopped
200g pack button mushrooms, halved
15ml/1tbsp ground paprika
10ml/2tsp ground cumin
5ml/1tsp chilli powder (more if liked)
1 (400g) can chopped tomatoes
15ml/1tbsp tomato puree
1 (400g) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
a pinch of sugar
salt and ground black pepper
brown rice to serve

Method
1. Heat the oil and sauté the onion for 3 mins until soft. Add the garlic, pepper and mushrooms and sauté for a further 3 mins until the mushrooms are tinged brown. Add the spices and cook, stirring for 30 secs.

2. Add the tomatoes, puree, beans and sugar, then bring to the boil. Season to taste, turn down to simmer and cook gently for 20 mins or until thickened and reduced. Serve hot with a 45-60ml/3-4tbs

Three of your “Five a Day”

Energy (kcal) : 165
Protein (g) 9.0
Fat (g) : 5.0  -  Of which saturates (g) : 0.6
Carbohydrate (g): 23.0   – Of which sugars (g): 9.0
Fibre (g) : 7.0
Salt (g) : 0.92

Study Reference:

Min Zhang, Jian Huang et al. Dietary Intakes of Mushrooms and Green Tea Combine to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer in Chinese Women. Int J Cancer: 124, 1404-1408 (2009)