title: Mediterranean diet and cancer: epidemiological evidence and mechanism of selected aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Populations living in the area of the Mediterranean Sea suffered by decreased incidence of cancer compared with those living in the regions of northern Europe and US countries, attributed to healthier dietary habits. Nowadays, we are assisting to a moving away from the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern, but whether this changing is influencing risk of cancers is still unclear. The aim of the study was to review recent evidence on potential relationship between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most recent pooled analyses of epidemiological studies supported strongly the hypothesis that the Mediterranean diet may play a role in preventing several types of cancers, especially those of digestive tract, whereas contrasting results were reported for hormone-dependent cancers. Specific aspects of the Mediterranean diet such as high fruit and vegetables and low red processed meat intake may explain such protective effects. Moreover, evidence regarding olive oil and whole grains increase the beneficial effects of such dietary pattern against cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Literature evidence actually demonstrates that the increased adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern is beneficial to health across populations and may translate a protective effect with certain cancers.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buscemi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galvano
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mistretta
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marventano
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: La Vela
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.forename: Santi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biondi
mesh_terms: D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control