Researchers looked at 16 studies involving over 615,000 people to understand how healthy eating affects ovarian cancer. They found that people who followed healthy eating patterns—like eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—had about a 9% lower chance of developing ovarian cancer compared to those who ate less healthy diets. Even better, people with ovarian cancer who ate healthier had better survival outcomes. While these results are encouraging, researchers emphasize that more large-scale studies are needed to fully confirm these findings and understand exactly which foods matter most.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating healthy foods and following healthy eating patterns can reduce the chance of getting ovarian cancer and improve survival for people who do get it
  • Who participated: Over 615,000 people from 16 different research studies. The studies included 5,452 people who developed ovarian cancer and tracked 3,028 deaths from the disease
  • Key finding: People who followed healthy eating patterns most closely had a 9% lower risk of ovarian cancer, and those with ovarian cancer who ate healthier had a 15% better survival rate
  • What it means for you: Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins may help protect against ovarian cancer and improve outcomes if someone is diagnosed. However, diet is just one factor—genetics, age, and other lifestyle choices also matter. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk factors

The Research Details

This was a meta-analysis, which means researchers combined results from 16 different studies to get a bigger picture. Twelve of these studies followed people over time (called cohort studies), and four compared people who had ovarian cancer with people who didn’t (called case-control studies). The researchers searched medical databases for all relevant studies published through October 2024 and carefully selected studies that measured healthy eating patterns and ovarian cancer risk or survival.

The researchers looked at what people ate and grouped them into categories—those who ate the healthiest diets versus those who ate the least healthy diets. They then compared cancer rates and survival between these groups. They also looked at how much cancer risk changed for every increase in a healthy eating score.

By combining results from many studies, researchers can see patterns that might not be obvious in a single study. This approach is stronger than looking at just one study because it includes more people and different types of research. However, combining studies also requires careful attention to make sure the studies are similar enough to compare fairly.

This analysis included a large number of participants (over 615,000 people), which makes the findings more reliable. The studies came from different countries and used similar methods to measure healthy eating, which strengthens confidence in the results. However, the studies showed some differences in their results (called heterogeneity), which means not all studies agreed completely. The researchers used appropriate statistical methods to handle this variation. The main limitation is that most studies were observational—they watched what people ate but didn’t assign people to specific diets, so we can’t be completely certain that diet alone caused the differences

What the Results Show

When researchers combined 15 studies looking at cancer risk, they found that people eating the healthiest diets had a 9% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to those eating the least healthy diets. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

For people who already had ovarian cancer, those who followed healthy eating patterns had a 15% better survival rate. This means they were more likely to survive longer after diagnosis. This finding was also statistically significant and appeared across multiple studies.

When researchers looked at how much cancer death risk decreased for every increase in healthy eating scores, they found a 14% reduction in ovarian cancer deaths. This suggests that even small improvements in diet quality might help.

These findings suggest that healthy eating patterns may protect against ovarian cancer development and help people with ovarian cancer live longer.

The analysis showed that the benefits of healthy eating appeared consistent across different types of studies and different populations. The improvements in survival were particularly notable, suggesting that diet may be especially important for people already diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The researchers noted that the relationship between diet and cancer risk appears to be dose-dependent, meaning that eating healthier more consistently provides more benefit than occasional healthy choices.

Previous research on diet and ovarian cancer has been mixed and limited. This comprehensive review brings together all available evidence and shows a clearer picture than any single study could provide. The findings align with what we know about diet and other cancers—that healthy eating patterns generally reduce cancer risk. However, ovarian cancer research has lagged behind research on breast and colon cancer, so this analysis fills an important gap in our knowledge.

The main limitation is that most studies were observational, meaning researchers watched what people ate rather than assigning them to specific diets. This makes it harder to prove that diet directly causes the differences in cancer risk—other factors could be involved. Additionally, people who eat healthy diets often exercise more, maintain healthier weights, and have other healthy habits, so it’s difficult to separate diet’s effect from these other factors. The studies also measured healthy eating in different ways, which creates some inconsistency. Finally, most studies were conducted in developed countries, so the findings may not apply equally to all populations worldwide

The Bottom Line

Based on moderate evidence, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish while limiting red meat, processed foods, and added sugars may help reduce ovarian cancer risk and improve survival. This recommendation applies to all women, but especially those with family history of ovarian cancer or other risk factors. Confidence level: Moderate—the evidence is encouraging but not yet definitive

All women should care about this research, particularly those with family history of ovarian cancer, those over 50 (when ovarian cancer is more common), and women who have had other cancers. Women already diagnosed with ovarian cancer should especially consider these findings when planning their diet. Men don’t develop ovarian cancer, so this research doesn’t directly apply to them, though the healthy eating patterns studied are beneficial for overall health for everyone

Cancer prevention typically takes years to show benefits—you wouldn’t expect to see results in weeks or months. For people with ovarian cancer, improved nutrition may help with energy levels and recovery within weeks, but survival benefits typically appear over months to years. The key is maintaining healthy eating patterns consistently over time

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Set a goal like 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables daily, 3+ servings of whole grains, and 2-3 servings of lean protein. Log these daily and monitor weekly totals to see if you’re meeting healthy eating pattern guidelines
  • Start by adding one healthy food to each meal rather than focusing on restriction. For example: add berries to breakfast, add a side salad to lunch, add roasted vegetables to dinner. This positive approach is easier to maintain than cutting out foods. Use the app to set reminders for meal planning and grocery shopping focused on whole foods
  • Track your healthy eating score weekly by counting servings of healthy foods consumed. Create a simple scoring system (for example, 1 point per fruit/vegetable serving, 1 point per whole grain serving). Monitor trends over months rather than days. If you have ovarian cancer, discuss your nutrition plan with your healthcare team and track any changes in energy levels and overall wellness alongside your diet quality

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about ovarian cancer risk, family history of cancer, or are currently being treated for ovarian cancer, please consult with your healthcare provider or oncologist before making significant dietary changes. While healthy eating is generally beneficial, individual nutritional needs vary based on personal health conditions, medications, and medical history. This analysis combines multiple studies but cannot prove that diet alone prevents or treats cancer—many factors influence cancer risk and survival.