King Charles has swapped red meat for avocados in a bid to speed up his recovery and “beat” cancer, sources have revealed.
The King spent about three months away from public duties when he was diagnosed with cancer in January.
He has always been committed to wellness, opting for simple, organic dishes over heavy, rich meals, but now he takes his health even more seriously.
Queen Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles shared his insights into the monarch’s nutritional changes with Saga, revealing that his father-in-law has given up red meat. He said: “I’m not a nutritionist, but I know that food is part of the body’s ‘medicine’. It knows when it’s right.”
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond added: “I don’t think it would be a big sacrifice for Charles to cut out red meat.
“He has always been very conscious of his diet and rarely ate lunch. And for many years he has deliberately avoided meat and fish two days a week.’
He added that he has also reduced the amount of dairy products he consumes, but this is for environmental reasons.
However, the King now has the medical incentive to completely eliminate red meat.
The King spent about three months away from public duties when he was diagnosed with cancer in January after receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate.
She concluded: “He’ll probably miss his organic roast lamb… but I’m sure he’s totally focused on his recovery and will do everything the doctors tell him to beat or control the cancer.”
Large and in-depth analyzes have linked diets rich in red meat to cancer, particularly those that affect the digestive tract, such as colon and stomach cancer.
Processed red meat, such as ham and bacon, has been shown to be particularly harmful due to preservatives added during the curing process, which can trigger the release of carcinogenic compounds in the intestine.
However, experts say it is still unclear exactly how this happens and the precise level of increased cancer risk.
One possible reason why red meat might cause cancer is due to a compound called heme.
Heme is an iron-containing compound found naturally in red meat, but when digested it can be broken down into cancer-causing N-nitroso chemicals, explains Cancer Research UK.
The charity adds that heterocyclic amines (HCA) and polycyclic amines (PCA), which can damage gut cells, are also produced when red meat is cooked at high temperatures, such as by roasting or grilling.
Red meat is on a list of foods that experts say could cause cancer. That includes all fresh, chopped and frozen pork, beef and lamb kids.
However, experts say meat is an important source of nutrients in the daily diet, including vitamin B12, which is vital for nerve function, DNA production in cells and blood production.
Red meat also provides our body with iron, which is important for making red blood cells, and zinc, which helps heal wounds, and other B vitamins, which help the body absorb energy from food.
The King has also stuck to eating a healthy breakfast of homemade bread and a plate of fresh fruit and fresh juice, former royal chef Graham Newbould previously revealed.
“It’s got six different types of honey, some special mueslis, nuts and anything that’s a bit special and that you’re a bit fussy about.”
Fruit, whole wheat bread and muesli are rich in fiber, another food that can help reduce the risk of cancer.
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot fully digest, unlike fats and proteins. It passes through most of the digestive system relatively intact.
It also helps regulate bowel movements and reduce the time that harmful substances are in contact with the colon, which is why it is believed to reduce the risk of bowel cancer.
Eating more fiber can also help you maintain a healthy weight by feeling fuller for longer, this not only reduces the risk of bowel cancer but also 12 other types, according to Cancer Research UK.
The Government recommends that adults eat 30g of fiber a day, which can be achieved by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, as well as wholegrain bread, rice and pasta.