Relationship between Chinese medicine dietary patterns and the incidence of breast cancer in Chinese women in Hong Kong: a retrospective cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundThis retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between Chinese medicine (CM) dietary patterns (hot, neutral, and cold) and the incidence of breast cancer among Chinese women in Hong Kong.MethodsBreast cancer cases (n = 202) and healthy controls (n = 202) were matched according to demographics. Chinese women residing in Hong Kong for the past 7 years were recruited by media advertisements (e.g., via newspapers, radio, and posters). The control participants were recruited by convenience sampling from health workshops held in clinics and communities of 15 districts of Hong Kong. After completing test–retest reliability, all participants were asked to complete diet pattern questionnaires about their food preferences and dietary patterns. The Student’s unpaired t test, Chi square test, and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS software.ResultsThree major CM dietary patterns were identified: hot, neutral, and cold. The participants with breast cancer exhibited a stronger preference for hot food than the control group (Chi square test, P < 0.001). A higher frequency of breast cancer was associated with a higher frequency of dining out for breakfast (4–5 times per week, Chi square test, P = 0.015; 6–7 times per week, Chi square test, P < 0.001) and lunch (4–5 times per week, Chi square test, P < 0.001; 6–7 times per week, Chi square test, P = 0.006). The participants with no history of breast cancer consumed CM supplements and Guangdong soups (1–2 times per week, Chi square test, P = 0.05; >3 times per week, Chi square test, P < 0.001) more frequently than those with breast cancer.ConclusionsNon-breast cancer participants adopted a neutral (healthy and balanced) dietary pattern, and consumed CM supplements and Guangdong soups more frequently.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13020-017-0138-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Association Between Dietary Quality and Postpartum Depression in Lactating Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Urban China

“…Chinese traditional beliefs about the importance of "Yin-Yang balance" affect the daily food practices of lactating women. Childbirth is believed to disturb the "Yin-Yang balance, " and different food characteristics (such as "hot" and "cold") can alter the "Yin-Yang balance" in the body (14)(15)(16). Usually, the "cold" foods were related "Yin."…”

Traditional chinese medicine diet paratherapy for alleviating toxicity in chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients: a meta-analysis

“…It might due to the reason that it was a non-randomized controlled study, and too few cases, which may have an impact on the results. Another study (Zheng et al, 2017) investigated the relationship between Chinese medicine dietary patterns (hot, neutral, and cold) and the incidence of breast cancer among Chinese women in Hong Kong. It indicated that non-breast cancer women adopted a neutral dietary pattern, and chose Chinese medicine supplements more frequently.…”

Fruit and vegetable consumption and serum vitamin A in lactating women: A cross‐sectional survey in urban China

“…For example, fresh fruits or vegetables are not highly recommended because lactating women should avoid “cold” foods. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, different food properties (such as “warm” and “cold”) can alter the “ Yin‐Yang balance” in the body (Ding, Niu, et al., 2020 ; Ding, Indayati, et al, 2020 ; Liu et al., 2020 ; Zheng et al., 2017 ). Childbirth is believed to disturb the “ Yin‐Yang balance,” and usually, the “cold” foods were related to “ Yin ” (Zheng et al., 2017 ).…”

“…According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, different food properties (such as “warm” and “cold”) can alter the “ Yin‐Yang balance” in the body (Ding, Niu, et al., 2020 ; Ding, Indayati, et al, 2020 ; Liu et al., 2020 ; Zheng et al., 2017 ). Childbirth is believed to disturb the “ Yin‐Yang balance,” and usually, the “cold” foods were related to “ Yin ” (Zheng et al., 2017 ). For example, the “cold” fruits mainly include banana, blueberry, mulberry, orange, and watermelon, and the “cold” vegetable mainly include cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, seaweed, and snow peas.…”