Europe heading to greater plant-based diet to fight cancer

Brussels - Meat reduction and investment in non-animal medical research are among the recommendations that the European Parliament have voted to put in place.

The EP has called on the EU to promote a plant-based diet and reduce meat consumption, to fight cancer.

Cancer is Europe’s second biggest killer, with 3.7 million new cases and 1.9 million deaths every year, a quarter of the world’s cancer cases, despite making up only an eighth of the world’s population.

On average, New Zealanders are expected to consume an estimated 10.6 kilograms of beef, 3.7 kilograms of sheep meat, 18.7 kilograms of pork and 40.6 kilograms of poultry meat per capita annually. Aotearoa ranks in the top 10 countries in the world eating the most meat.

India is #1 in the world for eating the least meat.

Europe should be able to fight effectively against the health inequalities that persist within the European Union and respond to the needs of millions of Europeans affected by this disease.

Their new strategy shifts the focus from drug testing to preventative research into carcinogenic chemicals, including promoting a balanced, plant-based diet in lieu of meat, ultra-processed foods, and foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.

Meat and animal products are very societally significant in Europe, with carcinogenic foods like salami and frankfurters interwoven in European culture.

There is mounting scientific evidence that the consumption of meat and dairy products can have a detrimental impact on human health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned processed meats are carcinogenic, that red meat probably increases the risk of bowel cancer and eating the equivalent of less than two slices of bacon a day increases the chance of colorectal cancer by 18 percent.

The WHO classifies processed meats (like ham, bacon, and sausages) as a Group 1 carcinogen, known to cause cancer.

Though colorectal cancer is one of Europe’s most common cancers and a leader in cancer deaths, scientists have found that a healthy diet is a preventative measure – with diets high in fibre and legumes and low in animal protein and fat protective against colorectal cancer.

Research has also found that a plant-based vegan diet reduces cancer indicative growth hormones by 13 percent in women and nine percent in men.

In 2017, nearly one million animals were subject to medical testing in the EU. Ninety-five percent of cancer drugs tested on animals are not approved, meaning many consider animal testing statistically redundant.