Onions and garlic might protect against cancer, according to a recent study.

Scientists from the First Hospital of China Medical University set out to understand whether consuming greater amounts of allium vegetables (garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and shallots) might prevent people from developing colorectal cancer.

As theorised, the researchers found that there was a significant relationship between the level of allium vegetables that an individual consumes and their risk of colorectal cancer.

Specifically, in adults who consumed the highest levels of allium vegetables, the risk of developing colorectal cancer was 79% lower than those who consumed the lowest levels.

The research was published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology.