Excluding skin cancer, prostate is the leading form of cancer that afflicts men, and more than 35,000 men die annually as a direct result of it, the Ohio State University Medical Center reports. As with all types of cancer, a number of lifestyle interventions can be taken to reduce your risk. Consuming whole grain foods -- including whole grain brown rice -- may keep prostate cancer at bay, but no research has specifically investigated the effect of brown rice on prostate cancer risk.
Background
The prostate is a small gland that produces seminal fluid for nourishing and transporting sperm. Only men have a prostate. The development of prostate cancer begins with an attack from free radicals -- deformed compounds that attack healthy cells. If your prostate cell DNA is damaged in a particular way, massive growth and reproduction can occur -- ultimately forming precancerous cells. If left untreated, prostate cancer can spread to other organs.
Connection
Brown rice is a whole grain. A grain is considered a "whole grain" when it contains the important parts of the original grain plant, according to the Whole Grains Council. Elevated insulin levels caused by a habitual intake of refined grains contributes to the growth of prostate cancer cells, according to the July 1998 "International Journal of Cancer." Consuming whole grains -- which are digested more slowly -- may help reduce this effect. Additionally, whole grain brown rice is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants can help prevent the cellular damage that results in precancerous cell formation.
Evidence
That same 1998 "International Journal of Cancer" study investigated the effect of whole grain consumption on prostate cancer risk in a group of approximately 8,000 adults. Researchers found that consuming whole grains regularly reduced prostate cancer risk by approximately 20 percent when compared to adults who seldom consumed whole grains. However, a research paper published in the January 2011 issue of the "Cancer Causes & Control" concluded that whole grain consumption had no effect on prostate cancer risk.
Warnings
While whole grain brown rice is a healthy choice, its connection to prostate cancer is unclear. Whole grain brown rice can be incorporated into a number of dishes, including stir-fry, casserole and rice pilaf.
References
- "Cancer Causes Control"; Dietary Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, Insulin Index, Fiber and Whole Grain Intake in Relation to Risk of Prostate Cancer; K. Nimptsch, et al.; January 2011
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Whole Grain Food Intake and Cancer Risk; L. Chatenoud, et al.; July 1998
- Ohio State University Medical Center: Prostate Cancer Statistics
- Whole Grains Council: Definition of Whole Grains
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