Consuming certain foods and beverages may cause people to have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), according to a new study published in the journal Nutrients.
Researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China analyzed 139 nutritional factors and their impact on the risk of developing diseases. colorectal cancer (CRC).
Participants included 118,210 people from the long-running UK Biobank study; all of them completed online surveys about their situation. food intake.
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After an average follow-up of 12.8 years, researchers identified eight foods that have been shown to influence CRC risk.
The first two, alcohol and white bread, were found to increase the risk, independent of genetic factors.
Consuming certain foods and beverages may put people at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to a newly published study. (iStock)
Previous studies also include alcohol increased risk of cancer.
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“Ethanol in any alcoholic beverage is a known risk factor for CRC because its primary metabolite, acetaldehyde, has been assessed as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Investigation,” the study authors wrote.
They stated that the risk associated with white bread was consistent with previous studies.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer among U.S. adults, according to the American Cancer Society.
“Whole grains are an important source of many vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that have anti-cancer properties and may influence CRC risk through a variety of potential mechanisms,” the authors wrote.
Researchers found that six other nutrients—fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and carbohydrate intake—reduced the risk of colorectal cancer.
The risk associated with white bread is also consistent with previous studies; because “whole grains are an important source of many vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that have anti-cancer properties,” the study authors wrote. (iStock)
The remaining foods showed no effect on CRC risk.
These results persisted after factors such as family background, age, gender, socioeconomic deprivation and education were taken into account.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.
“The findings of this study reaffirm the well-established link between lifestyle and dietary choices and colorectal cancer prevention.”
Misagh Karimi, MD, medical oncologist and colorectal cancer specialist at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center Irvine, CaliforniaHe was not involved in the study but offered his reaction to its results.
“The findings of this study reaffirm the well-established link between lifestyle and dietary choices and the prevention of colorectal cancer,” he told Fox News Digital.
Previous studies have linked alcohol to an increased risk of cancer. (iStock)
“These findings underscore the critical importance of taking a new approach.” healthy lifestyle and dietary habits such as limiting alcohol consumption and choosing a diet rich in high-fiber foods to reduce the risk of cancer,” Karimi added.
Although the research does not ignore the importance of considering genetic factors in cancer risk, the doctor stated that it underlines the effect of diet on cancer prevention.
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“This work also attracts attention because of its size and design,” Karimi said.
“It involved a large sample population of 500,000 middle-aged people, a long follow-up period, and a comprehensive assessment of nutritional factors.”
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer among US adults, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). (iStock)
However, the study had an important limitation.
“As the researchers noted, the analysis was limited to the European population,” Karimi said.
“To ensure the applicability of these findings to different populations, further studies are needed to confirm these results in a broader population.”
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Erin Palinski-Wade, Based in New Jersey A registered dietitian also weighed in on the findings. He did not participate in the research.
“These results make sense, as diets rich in simple sugars and excessive alcohol can increase the risk of cancer, especially for those at high genetic risk of developing cancer,” he told Fox News Digital.
“However, it is important to remember that this research shows association, not causation,” he said.
A dietitian recommends looking at the full picture of a person’s nutrition and lifestyle behaviors over time to assess and improve risk factors. (iStock)
The dietitian pointed out that it is possible for a person who eats more amounts of white bread to consume less amount of whole grains and fiber overall.
“And since fiber reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, consuming a diet low in fiber, but not the white bread itself, may increase the risk,” he said.
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With alcohol intakePalinski-Wade noted that the amount and frequency will have a significant impact on disease risk.
“We also don’t know what other lifestyle behaviors the regular drinkers in this study were exhibiting,” he said.
It is expected that 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2023. (iStock)
While the research emphasizes that consuming more fiber and more unprocessed foods may be beneficial in reducing the risk of cancer, Palinski-Wade noted that diet is not the only factor in cancer risk.
“Also, no particular food, like white bread, will make or break your health,” he added.
“The overall nutritional quality of your complete diet day after day will have the greatest impact.”
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While the dietitian recommends choosing whole grains over refined grains whenever possible, she said that doesn’t mean white bread should be avoided entirely or that avoiding eating it will automatically reduce the risk.
“Instead, you should look at your whole picture. nutrition and lifestyle behaviors “Work consistently over time to assess and improve your own risk factors,” he said.
According to the CDC, a diet low in fruits, vegetables and fiber or high in fat or processed meat may contribute to higher risk. (iStock)
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer among US adults, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
It is expected that 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2023.
While rates have fallen among older adults in recent years, they have been rising among people under 50, rising 1% to 2% annually since the mid-1990s, according to the ACS.
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Dietary factors are known to contribute to an increased risk of this type of cancer.
A diet low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber or high in fat or processed meat may contribute to higher risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The health agency stated that alcohol consumption and tobacco use may also increase the risk.
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