Pizzas are covered with a potentially
protective tomato sauce |
Italian
researchers say eating pizza could protect against cancer.
Researchers claim eating pizza regularly reduced the risk of
developing oesophageal cancer by 59%.
The risk of developing colon cancer also fell by 26% and mouth
cancer by 34%, they claimed.
The secret could be lycopene, an antioxidant chemical in
tomatoes, which is thought to offer some protection against cancer,
and which gives the fruit its traditional red colour.
But some
experts cast doubt on the idea that pizza consumption was the
explanation for why some people did not develop cancer.
They said other foods or dietary habits could play a part.
Lifestyle
The researchers looked at 3,300 people who had developed cancer
of the mouth, oesophagus, throat or colon and 5,000 people who had
not developed cancer.
They were asked about their eating habits, and how often they ate
pizza.
Those who ate pizza at least once a week had less chance of
developing cancer, they found.
Dr Silvano Gallus, of the Mario Negri Institute for
Pharmaceutical Research in Milan, who led the research: "We knew
that tomato sauce could offer protection against certain tumours,
but we did not expect pizza as a complete meal also to offer such
protective powers."
Nicola O'Connor, of Cancer Research UK, told BBC News Online:
"This study is interesting and the results should probably be looked
at in the context of what we already know about the Mediterranean
diet and it's association with a lower risk of certain types of
cancer.
"But before people start dialling the pizza takeaway, they should
consider that pizza can be high in saturated fat, salt and calories.
"In contrast to the classic Italian pizza, UK varieties are often
loaded with high fat cheeses and fatty meats, a high intake of which
can contribute to obesity, itself a risk factor for cancer.
"Our advice is to enjoy pizza in moderation as part of a balanced
diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruit."
Mediterranean diet
And Carlo La Vecchia, a Milan-based epidemiologist said
pizza-lovers should not see the research as a licence to indulge
their fondness for the food.
"There is nothing to indicate that pizza is the only thing
responsible for these results."
He told AFP news agency: "Pizza could simply be indicative of a
lifestyle and food habits, in other words the Italian version of a
Mediterranean diet."
A Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, fibre, vegetables,
fruit, flour and freshly cooked food - including non-frozen,
home-made pizza.
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Before people start dialling the pizza takeaway, they
should consider that pizza can be high in saturated fat, salt
and calories 
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