U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home News & Events News Articles Research News 2002





- ARS News & Events
- AgResearch Magazine
- Image Gallery
- News
- Search News & Events
- Pesticide Drift May Endanger Pollinators
- ARS Seeks a Fire Ant Fix
- Scientific Discoveries 2024
- ARS Featured Photos
- Down on the Farm
- Facebook Live Events
- Food and Nutrition Research Briefs
- News Archive
- Science in Your Shopping Cart
- Scientific Discoveries
- Social Media
- Under the Microscope
- AgResearch magazine
- ARS at Work
- ARS Memorial Lectures
- ARS Science Hall of Fame
- Citrus Disease (Huanglongbing)
- Contact Office of Communications
- Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Mobile Apps
- Public Affairs Contacts
- Publications and Other Resources
- USDA Blog
- Videos

Archived Page
 This page has been archived and is being provided for reference purposes only. The page is no longer being updated, and therefore, links on the page may be invalid.
 Graphic: USDA Food Guide Pyramid.USDA Food Guide Pyramid.
Dietary Habits Associated With Esophageal Cancer
By Rosalie Marion BlissJune 13, 2002
Scientists funded by the Agricultural Research Service recently studied dietary habits that might ward off esophageal cancer, a form so deadly only about 12 percent of those diagnosed survive five years. Other studies have found a strong association between esophageal cancer and acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which affects 7 million Americans annually.
The ARS-funded analysis was overseen by Katherine Tucker, director of the Dietary Assessment Research Program at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, Mass., and included researchers from the National Cancer Institute. The scientists looked at consumption habits of about 700 people who were asked to recall how frequently they ate 54 specific food items. Their responses ultimately formed the basis of six dietary patterns identified.
The dietary patterns were labeled "healthy," "high meat," "high salty snacks," "high dessert," "high milk," and "high white bread." The "healthy" dietary pattern tended to have the lowest risk of esophageal cancer. That diet was high in fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Foods eaten in that group were good sources of carotenoids, vitamin C, dietary fiber and B vitamins.
The USDA Food Guide Pyramid suggests two to three servings of protein each day from a varied group that includes poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts, as well as meats. But those in the "high-meat" pattern consumed about three servings per day of red or processed meats alone. Those whose diet fell in the "high-meat" pattern--who also had lower fruit and vegetable intakes--had a 3.6 times higher risk of esophageal cancer than did those in the "healthy" dietary pattern. They also had an almost three times higher risk for stomach cancer.
While grouping data by patterns is a subjective science, the researchers found that similar patterns emerged during other investigations involving various populations. Still, larger confirmational studies are needed. The research was published in the January issue of theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
ARS is the chief scientific research agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.


Return to top


Research
                            Media
                            About ARS
                            Work With Us


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov