China project
From Free net encyclopedia
The China Project is an ongoing extensive study of the correlation of disease epidemiology with the increasing urbanisation of the many provinces of China, and with the changes in eating patterns and lifestyles which this Westernisation is bringing.
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Funding and dates of the project
The study is jointly funded by the Universities of Oxford, Cornell and the Government of China. Professor Colin Campbell led the first two major studies in the 1980s and 1990s.
Results of the project
Professor Campbell stated that the project showed a close correlation between an increase in animal protein (i.e. dairy and meat) consumption, and increase in some diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. The lower the percentage of animal-based foods in a diet, the greater the health benefits. This is true even with a change of 10% to 0%.
He also said that analysis of the research results shows that the Western countries should note the following results when looking at their food and health policies:
- The greater the variety of plant-based foods in the diet, the greater the benefit. Variety insures broader coverage of known and unknown nutrient needs.
- Provided there is plant food variety, quality and quantity, a healthful and nutritionally complete diet can be attained without animal-based food.
- The closer the food is to its native state -- with minimal heating, salting and processing -- the greater will be the benefit.
Criticism and commentary
"The 'Grand Prix'...the most comprehensive large study ever undetaken of the relationship between diet and the risk of developing disease...tantalizing findings." - The New York Times
"...the most comprehensive survey of food, environment, social practices and diseases ever made in China-and one of the largest epidemiological studies ever done anywhere." - Science
References
- T. Colin Campbell, PHD. et al. The China Study. BenBella Books, 2005 Dallas.
- About the above book