New Japanese research concludes that men with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables are less likely to develop a type of cancer of the esophagus.

The project, which was backed by Japan's ministry of health, monitored 39,000 men aged 45 to 74 for eight years, during which time 116 developed the type of cancer called esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal SCC is linked to smoking and drinking alcohol, according to the study by the Epidemiology and Prevention Division at Japan's National Cancer Center.

Researchers found that the men who consumed the highest levels of fruit and vegetables had just under half the risk of developing esophageal SCC, when compared with their counterparts who ate less fresh produce.

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