吃蘑菇能降低患癌癥的風險嗎？

河北承德市平泉縣第一中學 王珊珊

A new Japanese research has suggested that regularly eating mushrooms could help lower the risk of cancer.

The researchers found that the men whoconsumed mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 percent lower risk of developing cancer,regardless of how much fruit and vegetables,or meat and dairy products they ate—compared to those who ate mushrooms less than once per week.Eating mushrooms more often appeared to bring even bigger benefits,with those who consumed mushrooms three or more times per week showing a 17 percent lower risk than those who ate mushrooms less than once a week.

Eating mushrooms also appeared to be particularly beneficial among those who ate a large amount of meat and dairy products,little fruit and few vegetables.The findings,published in the International Journal of Cancer,are the first to suggest that there may be an association between eating mushrooms and a lower risk of cancer.

“Test-tube studies and studies conducted on living organisms have shown that mushrooms have the potential to prevent cancer,” said lead researcher Shu Zhang.“To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study indicating the cancer-preventive potential of mushrooms at a population level.”Zhang added, “Mushrooms are a good source of vitamins,minerals and antioxidants,especially L-ergothioneine,which is believed to help fight against stress that is cell imbalance caused by lifestyle choices such as poor diets and exposure to environmental poisons.This imbalance can lead to chronic inflammation,resulting in chronic diseases such as cancer.”

“Considering the average American consumes less than 5 grams of mushrooms per day,which is lower than that consumed by the participants in this study （7.6 g/day）,one would expect that even a small increase in mushroom consumption can offer potential health benefits,”said Zhang.However,Zhang added,“Although our study suggests regular consumption of mushrooms may reduce the risk of cancer,we also want to emphasize that eating a healthy and balanced diet is much more important than filling your shopping basket with mushrooms.”

Reading Check

1.What is the new Japanese research about?

A.Healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of cancer.

B.Often eating mushrooms reduces the risk of cancer.

C.Consuming dairy products is good for our health.

D.Eating fruit and vegetables makes us healthier.

2.Who will especially benefit from eating mushrooms?

A.People who are over fat and have a poor diet.

B.People who are feeling over stressed.

C.People who consume much meat but few vegetables and little fruit.

D.People who consume many dairy products and suffer cancer.

3.Why can the mushroom help reduce the risk of cancer?

A.It avoids the stress from a disease.

B.It reduces environmental poisons.

C.It helps reduce weight.

D.It has a source of cancer-prevention.

4.What does the underlined word “inflammation” in Para.4 probably mean?

A.A state of being physically healthy.

B.A state of keeping body balanced.

C.A physical condition that someone needs to be on a diet.

D.A condition that a part of the body becomes red,sore and swollen.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

Although our study suggests regular consumption of mushrooms may reduce the risk of cancer,we also want to emphasize that eating a healthy and balanced diet is much more important than filling your shopping basket with mushrooms.

【翻譯】__________________________________________________________________________

【點石成金】本句是一個復合句，Although引導的是讓步狀語從句，“regular consumption...cancer”是從句作及物動詞suggests的賓語；“that eating a healthy...with mushrooms”為that引導的從句，作及物動詞emphasize的賓語。