Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer globally, and its incidence has been rising rapidly. However, the key to preventing it lies within your control: by making careful dietary choices.
This conclusion was drawn from two recent studies by Flanders University in Australia, which highlighted the significant role that diet plays in influencing the risk of digestive system cancers, including colon cancer.
The research found that poor dietary habits increase the risk of various colon and stomach cancers. In contrast, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, pulses, and dairy products can help protect against bowel cancer.
Digestive system cancers, including those of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and intestines, account for one in every four cancer cases worldwide. Moreover, these cancers contribute to one in three cancer-related deaths globally.
The researchers identified a direct connection between unhealthy eating habits and digestive cancers. They found that consuming a diet high in healthy fats and vegetables, while avoiding sugar and alcohol, could significantly lower the risk of bowel and other cancers.
Conversely, diets high in red and processed meats, fast food, refined grains, alcohol, and sugary beverages elevate the risk of digestive cancers. On the other hand, a fiber-rich diet with fruits and vegetables helps promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which reduces inflammation.
Researchers noted that digestive cancers, particularly bowel cancer, are spreading rapidly, especially among individuals under 50. Therefore, it is crucial to take steps to protect digestive health.
The findings align with the World Cancer Research Fund’s recommendations, which encourage a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while minimizing processed meats, sugary drinks, and fast food.
The researchers emphasized that these results not only confirm the importance of the Cancer Research Fund’s dietary guidelines but also demonstrate that dietary choices can help protect against deadly cancers. They also noted that further research is needed to better understand the relationship between diet and digestive system cancers.
One of the studies was published in the European Journal of Nutrition, while the other appeared in Nutrition Reviews.
Additionally, a study published in Nature Reviews Microbiology in July 2024 examined the impact of fast food on colon cancer risk. This study, which analyzed six previous reports, found that fast food, being high in fat and sugar, increases the risk of colon cancer, while diets rich in fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
The study emphasized that food choices significantly affect gut bacteria and that maintaining a healthy diet is essential for overall health and disease prevention.
