A growing number of young people under 50 are being diagnosed with bowel cancer, prompting researchers to urge the public to adopt healthier eating habits to reduce their risk.
Two studies by Flinders University have found that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, and dairy may protect against gastrointestinal cancers, including bowel cancer. The research suggests that consuming high amounts of healthy fats and limiting sugar and alcohol intake can significantly reduce the risk.
According to senior author Dr Yohannes Melaku, poor diet choices are a major contributing factor to digestive cancers. “We’ve identified many direct links between poor diet choices and digestive cancers,” he says.
The studies also found that high-fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables promote healthy gut bacteria that can reduce inflammation. Dr Melaku emphasizes the importance of increasing fibre intake in everyone’s diet.
Gastrointestinal cancers, which include cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, small bowel, colon, rectum, and anus, are responsible for one in four cancer cases and one in three cancer deaths worldwide.
The findings support the World Cancer Research Fund guidelines, which advocate for diets rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Dr Melaku says that upping fibre intake is a simple way to improve overall health and reduce the risk of diseases including cancers.
However, more work needs to be done to understand the relationship between diet and gastrointestinal cancer. Associate Professor Amy Reynolds adds, “We need to see an increase in education around healthy eating, which could lead to better health outcomes for those at risk.”
Source: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/health/eating-more-six-key-food-30517636