Australian women have been pressed to "eat their greens" on the back of a report which suggests folate-rich vegetables can ward off mouth cancers.
The Australian vegetable industry has seized on the study as a way of encouraging local consumption of vegetables such as lettuce, asparagus and spinach.
Ausveg said on Friday it was just another reason to chow them down, aside from the usual health benefits that can be expected by eating lots of green vegetables.
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The US-based report found women who were big drinkers had less incidence of mouth cancer with a diet rich in folates.
"These positive findings about preventative measures that can be taken by women will hopefully provide an extra boost for the vegetable industry," Ausveg spokeswoman Erin Lyall said in a statement.
The helpful vegies include beans, peas and lentils, while fruit juices, broccoli and brussel sprouts also contain folates in smaller amounts.
