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rye bread , even some cereal and energy bars ); reducing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heterocyclic Amines exposure from processed and burnt meats . Above all , it ’ s important to eat plenty of polyphenol rich foods such as vegetables , spices , herbs , teas , berries , vegetables and fruits5 .
Polyphenols provide the colour , taste and aroma of these foods but also act as natural antidotes to environmental and ingested carcinogens . They also have anti-inflammatory and direct anti-cancer properties5 . It is not a surprise then that the World Cancer Research Fund have reported that individuals who eat high quantities of these foods have a lower risk of cancer and that well conducted trials of polyphenol rich whole food supplements are beginning to demonstrate significant anti-cancer benefits . The largest , and most notable of these , was the UK government backed national Pomi-T trial which investigated of blend of purified , high grade turmeric , pomegranate , green tea and broccoli with in a double blind randomised controlled trial ( RCT ). The results , presented in The American Society of Oncology conference , Chicago , showed that the supplement containing these ingredients prevented early prostate cancer progressing in a large proportion of men compared to men taking a placebo6 .
- A healthy diet is important
- A good saddle is a must
As well as this obvious benefit for cyclist , polyphenol rich foods are generally very healthy - high in other nutrients such as plant proteins , minerals , fatty acids and vitamins essential for tissue repair including the cartilage within joints . Population studies have linked their higher intake a lower risk of arthritis , a finding supported by laboratory experiments showing they directly protect cartilage generating cells ( chondrocytes ) from physical trauma and chemical toxins . For this reason , the Pomi-t trials team in conjunction with the Department of Exercise Science at Coventry University and University of California are designing another double blind RCT , evaluating whether the ingredients in this supplement could reduce joint pains allowing greater exercise capacity . This would be relevant for people at any level of fitness ranging from those recovering from cancer suffering treatment related joint pains through to elite athletes looking to improve their performance .
In conclusion , the biochemical changes , which arise after exercise , counting cycling , have significant cancer protection properties and current research , linking cycling with an increased risk of prostate cancer are fundamentally flawed1,4 . Nevertheless , the generation of free radicals and local inflammation remain potential concerns with intense cycling3 . Adopting a healthy polyphenol rich diet would be very sensible practice , especially foods with anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory properties such as green tea , turmeric , pomegranate and broccoli which have also demonstrated prostate cancer benefits within a UK national trial5,6 .