Consumption of onions and garlic in daily diet helps to reduce the risk of several types of cancer. Researchers from Italy analysed eight studies from Italy and Switzerland and found that older adults with the highest onion and garlic intakes had the lowest risks of a number of cancers, Forbes reported.
Each study compared healthy older adults to patients with a particular form of cancer, asking participants for detailed information on their diets, physical activity and other lifestyle habits. However, it is not certain that onions and garlic have a direct effect on cancer risk, onion and garlic lovers could also have an overall diet that protects against cancer.
Dietary habits are substantially different in China, with garlic intake, in particular, being far higher. The findings suggest the anti-cancer benefit of these vegetables extend to Western populations.