BONUS! Diet, Cancer, and What the Science Shows

In this bonus episode, Tracy and Eden dive into a groundbreaking new study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on diet and cancer risk. Drawing from research, they explore how dietary patterns, particularly plant-forward choices, affect the incidence of common and less common cancers.

Together, they unpack the data, highlight strengths of the study, and share their own reflections on what this means for cancer prevention and everyday choices. From the gut microbiome to dairy and hormone-driven cancers, they emphasize one consistent theme: eating more plants is a safe, simple, and powerful step toward lowering cancer risk.

The conversation also shifts from data to daily life, including how to start swapping plant-based meals into your routine, navigating limited restaurant options, and even using tools like our Plant-Powered Recipe Generator to experiment with new recipes.

And before you keep reading, subscribe to our all-new SUBSTACK! You will get extra tidbits of plant-based goodness, recipes, resources, and exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox every week. You also cannot miss our all-new Recipe Reviser, the fastest way to turn your favorite dishes into plant-based perfection. One click, countless delicious possibilities!

Key Highlights

• Strengths of the study and how lifestyle factors were controlled

• How diet patterns were categorized (vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, semi-vegetarian)

• Significant reductions in cancer risk among vegans and vegetarians

• Dairy’s association with breast and prostate cancer

• The role of the gut microbiome, fiber, and prebiotics in cancer prevention

• Practical tips for transitioning toward a more plant-forward diet

• Societal shifts: moving celebrations away from meat and dairy-heavy norms

Resources

• Study DOI

• Holy Guacamole (Vancouver)

• Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World (cookbook)

• Blue Zones

• Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine

• Plant Powered Physicians Podcast Website (recipe generator)

• Submit your questions here

• Instagram: @doctorplantpodcast

More to Explore

• Try a Meatless Monday or swap in one new plant-based recipe each week

• Use ChatGPT (or your favorite tool) to generate quick 30-minute recipes with new veggies