Uterine fibroids may be more prevalent in women who frequently consume beef, other red meat and ham, while women who eat a high amount of green vegetables and fruit seem to gain a protective effect against fibroids. Women with fibroids reported more frequent consumption of beef, other red meat and ham, and a less frequent consumption of green vegetables, fruit and fish than the control group. While eating more fruits and vegetables appeared to protect against fibroids, the protective effect of green vegetables was even higher than that for fruit.
Fibroids are a common, benign form of uterine tumors found in about one fifth of all American women.
They occur most frequently when women are in their 30s and 40s. Depending on their size and location, fibroids may cause no problems or they may contribute to conditions like anemia, pelvic pain and infertility. In the US, fibroids are the most common reason for hysterectomy. The Italian researchers, who had already found a similar association between women's risk for breast and endometrial cancer and their dietary intake, suggest that the effect of vegetables in potentially lowering women's estrogen levels may be a factor in reducing risks for fibroids as well. It was unclear whether women who frequently consumed red meat were more likely to have fibroids because they were less likely to be eating vegetables or because meat has an effect on estrogen levels.