Researchers looked at how food choices affect cancer deaths in China and around the world from 1990 to 2021. They found that eating more vegetables and less red meat could help prevent cancer. China has made good progress—cancer deaths linked to poor diet dropped by more than half over 30 years. However, people are eating more red meat now, which is concerning. The study shows that different countries and regions have different diet-related cancer problems, and men and women are affected differently. These findings can help doctors and governments create better plans to prevent cancer through healthier eating.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How nine different eating habits (like eating red meat, not eating enough vegetables, and drinking sugary drinks) affect cancer deaths in China and other countries over 32 years
  • Who participated: This study analyzed data from millions of people across China, wealthy countries, middle-income countries, and poorer countries. It looked at death records and health information collected by the World Health Organization
  • Key finding: Cancer deaths caused by poor diet choices in China dropped by 53% between 1990 and 2021. However, eating too much red meat is becoming a bigger problem, while eating too few vegetables is becoming less of a problem
  • What it means for you: Eating more vegetables and less red meat may help lower your cancer risk. This is especially important in countries like China where eating habits are changing. However, this study shows patterns in large groups—individual results may vary based on genetics and other health factors

The Research Details

Researchers used two main methods to understand the data. First, they looked at information from a single point in time (cross-sectional analysis) to see how diet affects cancer in different regions. Second, they tracked changes over 32 years (time-series analysis) to see if things were getting better or worse. They used a special math tool called ‘joinpoint regression’ to find the exact years when trends changed direction—like when red meat consumption started going up or vegetable eating started going down. They compared China to five different groups of countries based on how wealthy and developed they are, from the richest countries to the poorest.

This approach is important because it shows us not just what’s happening now, but how things have changed over time. By comparing China to countries at different development levels, researchers can understand whether diet problems are linked to how rich or poor a country is. This helps explain why some countries have more diet-related cancer than others and predicts what might happen in the future as countries develop

This study used official health data from many countries, which makes it reliable. However, the study couldn’t prove that diet directly causes cancer in individual people—it only shows patterns in large groups. The data came from death records and health surveys, which are generally accurate but may miss some cases. The study is recent (2025) and covers a long time period (32 years), which strengthens the findings

What the Results Show

China made impressive progress in reducing diet-related cancer deaths. In 1990, about 9.9 out of every 100 cancer deaths in China were linked to poor diet choices. By 2021, this dropped to 6.3 out of 100—a 53% decrease. This is much better than the global average improvement of 35.5%. The biggest improvement was in low vegetable intake, which dropped from 3.0% to 0.3% of cancer deaths. This suggests that Chinese people are eating more vegetables than they did 30 years ago.

However, there’s a concerning trend: red meat consumption increased from 1.6% to 2.0% of diet-related cancer deaths. This means more people are eating red meat, which is linked to higher cancer risk. Colorectal cancer (cancer of the large intestine) was most affected by diet in China, with 39.2% of these cancers linked to poor eating habits.

When comparing China to other countries, China’s 2021 diet-related cancer death rate (6.3%) was lower than the global average (6.8%) and much lower than middle-income countries (7.4%), but higher than the wealthiest countries (5.8%). This shows China is in a transition period—improving in some ways but facing new challenges as the country develops.

The study found important differences between men and women. Red meat consumption had a bigger impact on cancer deaths in women, while not eating enough plants (vegetables, fruits, whole grains) affected men more. This suggests that men and women may need different dietary advice to prevent cancer. The research also showed that different regions of the world have different diet problems—wealthy countries struggle more with red meat and processed food, while poorer countries struggle more with not having enough vegetables and healthy foods available

This study fits with what other researchers have found: eating more vegetables and less red meat is linked to lower cancer risk. The finding that China is improving in vegetable intake matches other studies showing that as countries develop, people often eat more varied diets. However, the increase in red meat consumption in China is a new concern that matches global trends—as countries get wealthier, people tend to eat more meat. This study provides the most recent and detailed look at these trends in China specifically

This study shows patterns and trends but cannot prove that diet directly causes cancer in individual people. It’s based on death records and health surveys, which are generally accurate but may not capture every case. The study couldn’t account for other important factors that affect cancer risk, like smoking, exercise, weight, and genetics. Additionally, the data comes from different countries with different ways of counting deaths, which might affect comparisons. Finally, the study looked at nine dietary factors but didn’t examine how combinations of foods work together

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, eating more vegetables and less red meat appears to help reduce cancer risk (moderate confidence level). The evidence is strongest for colorectal cancer prevention. Aim to eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains daily, and limit red meat to a few times per week. These recommendations are supported by multiple studies, not just this one. However, diet is just one factor in cancer prevention—avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular exercise are equally important

Everyone should care about these findings, especially people in countries like China where eating habits are changing rapidly. Men should pay special attention to eating enough plants, while women should be mindful of red meat consumption. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should be particularly interested in improving their diet. However, this study shows population-level trends—individual risk depends on many factors including genetics, age, and overall lifestyle

Changes in cancer risk from diet improvements take time. You might feel better (more energy, better digestion) within weeks of eating more vegetables. However, the protective effects against cancer typically develop over years or decades. The study tracked changes over 32 years, showing that long-term dietary patterns matter most. Don’t expect immediate results, but think of healthy eating as an investment in your long-term health

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vegetable servings (aim for 5+ different colors per day) and red meat consumption (limit to 2-3 times per week). Use the app to log meals and get a weekly report showing your vegetable variety score and red meat frequency
  • Set a specific goal like ‘Add one new vegetable to my diet each week’ or ‘Replace red meat with fish or beans twice per week.’ Use app reminders to suggest plant-based meal ideas when you typically eat red meat
  • Track your diet weekly and review trends monthly. Set milestone goals like ‘Eat 5 different vegetables this week’ or ‘Have 2 meatless days.’ Use the app’s analytics to see if you’re moving toward the recommended patterns shown in this research

This research shows patterns in large populations but cannot diagnose or predict individual cancer risk. Diet is one of many factors affecting cancer risk—genetics, age, smoking, exercise, and weight also play important roles. This information is not a substitute for medical advice from your doctor. If you have concerns about cancer risk or family history of cancer, please consult with a healthcare professional. Always discuss major dietary changes with your doctor, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications that interact with foods.