Mediterranean diet and colorectal cancer: A systematic review

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#carotenoids #colorectal-neoplasms #diet-mediterranean #diet-western #fruit

Mediterranean diet and colorectal cancer: A systematic review

Farinetti et al., 2017 | Nutrition | Systematic Review

Citation

Farinetti Alberto, Zurlo Valeria, ... Mattioli Anna Vittoria. Mediterranean diet and colorectal cancer: A systematic review. Nutrition. 2017;43-44:83-88. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2017.06.008

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, especially in developed countries where an estimated 60% of all cases occur. There is evidence of a higher risk for CRC in Western society, where people tend to eat more red and processed meat than those living along the Mediterranean coast, who have a decreased overall cancer mortality, which is correlated to their eating habits, such as Mediterranean diet. The aim of this review was to evaluate the correlation between three components of the Mediterranean diet (olive oil, red wine, and tomatoes) and incidence and progression of colorectal cancer. As such, we conducted a literature search using keywords "colorectal cancer," "dietary pattern," "Mediterranean diet," "olive oil," "protective effects," "resveratrol," and "lycopene." Olive oil polyphenols, red wine resveratrol, and tomato lycopene showed several characteristics in vitro that interfere with molecular cancer pathways. At the same time, many clinical studies have reported an association of these components with a reduction in cancer initiation and progression. More clinical studies are needed to identify the precise dose and administration of single agents or their combination to produce a coadjutant treatment to those already applied in chemoprevention and oncologic treatment.

Key Findings

More clinical studies are needed to identify the precise dose and administration of single agents or their combination to produce a coadjutant treatment to those already applied in chemoprevention and oncologic treatment.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Carotenoids
  • Colorectal Neoplasms
  • Diet, Mediterranean
  • Diet, Western
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Lycopene
  • Solanum lycopersicum
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Meat
  • Resveratrol
  • Stilbenes
  • Vitis
  • Wine

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: resveratrol

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09