Consuming certain foods and drinks can put people at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), according to a new study published in the journal Nutrient.
Researchers from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China analyzed 139 dietary factors and their effects on the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC).
The participants included 118,210 people who took part in the long-running UK Biobank study – all of whom completed an online questionnaire about their food intake.
After an average follow-up of 12.8 years, the researchers identified eight foods that were shown to influence CRC risk.
The first two, alcohol and white bread, were found to increase risk, regardless of genetic factors.
Previous studies have also linked alcohol to an increased risk of cancer.
“Ethanol in any type of alcoholic beverage is a known risk factor for CRC because its first metabolite, acetaldehyde, has been assessed as a human carcinogen by the International Research Agency,” the study authors wrote.
The risks associated with white bread are also consistent with previous studies, they said.
“In particular, whole grains are a major source of many vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that have anti-cancer properties and may influence CRC risk through several potential mechanisms,” the authors wrote.
Alcohol was found to increase the risk, regardless of genetic factors. chika_milan – stock.adobe.com
Six other dietary elements – fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and carbohydrate intake – were all found to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, the researchers found.
Dietary balance did not show any effect on CRC risk.
These results persisted after adjusting for factors such as family history, age, gender, socioeconomic disadvantage and education.
Fox News Digital reached out to the study’s authors for comment.
Misagh Karimi, MD, a medical oncologist and colorectal cancer specialist at Lennar City of Hope Orange County Foundation Cancer Center in Irvine, California, was not involved in the study but offered her reaction to the results.
“The findings of this study confirm the strong relationship between lifestyle and dietary choices and the prevention of colorectal cancer,” he told Fox News Digital.
“These findings emphasize the critical importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating habits, including limiting alcohol consumption and choosing a diet rich in high-fiber foods to reduce the risk of cancer,” added Karimi.
The participants included 118,210 people who took part in the long-running UK Biobank study.
Although the study does not deny the importance of considering genetic factors in cancer risk, doctors state that it underlines the impact that diet can have on cancer prevention.
“This study also stands out 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 dietary factors.”
However, the study has one important limitation.
“As the researchers stated, the analysis was limited to the European population,” Karimi said.
“To ensure the applicability of these findings to diverse populations, further studies are needed to confirm these results in a wider population.”
The risks associated with white bread are also consistent with previous studies, the researchers said. Shutterstock
Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian based in New Jersey, also weighed in on the findings. He was not involved in the study.
“These results make sense, because a diet rich in simple sugars along with excess alcohol can increase the risk of cancer, especially for those who carry an increased genetic risk for cancer,” he told Fox News Digital.
“However, it is important to remember that this research shows association, not causation,” he said.
It’s possible that someone who eats a larger amount of white bread consumes a lower amount of whole grains and fiber, the dietitian said.
“And since fiber reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, consuming a low-fiber diet may increase the risk, not white bread itself,” he said.
With alcohol consumption, Palinski-Wade notes that quantity and frequency will have a significant impact on disease risk.
“Furthermore, we do not know what other lifestyle behaviors are engaged in by those who regularly consume alcohol in this research,” he said.
With alcohol consumption, Palinski-Wade notes that quantity and frequency will have a significant impact on disease risk. MDPI
While research highlights that eating more fiber and more whole foods can be beneficial in reducing cancer risk, Palinski-Wade notes that diet is not the only cancer risk factor.
“Also, one particular food, like white bread, will not make or break your health,” he added.
“The overall nutritional quality of your whole diet, day in and day out, will have the biggest impact.”
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Although dietitians recommend choosing whole grains over refined grains whenever possible, she says that doesn’t mean avoiding white bread altogether or abstaining from eating it will automatically lower your risk.
“Instead, you should look at the full picture of your eating behavior and lifestyle consistently over time to assess and improve your own risk factors,” he said.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer among US adults, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
In 2023, it is expected that 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed.
While rates have declined among older adults in recent decades, they have increased among people under 50, rising 1% to 2% a year since the mid-1990s, according to the ACS.
Dietary factors are known to contribute to a higher risk for this type of cancer.
A diet low in fruits, vegetables and fiber — or high in fat or processed meat — may contribute to a higher risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Alcohol consumption and tobacco use can also increase the risk, the health agency said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
