But it’s not all bad news, and the same statistics supported by the above-mentioned study suggest that over 54% of the cases of bowel cancer can be prevented. This recent study sheds even more light on what kinds of foods should be limited or increased in your diet to minimize your risk of developing bowel cancer.These foods include:
The study also looked at other food groups, such as fish, poultry, fruit and vegetables, as well as such beverages as tea and coffee, but they didn’t find any correlation. Eating a lot of fiber-rich foods, on the other hand, such as cereals, bread and oats, seemed to have the opposite effect: it decreased the risk of developing bowel cancer by 14%.
Note that the study does not state that processed meat, red meat and alcohol should be completely cut out from your diet, as they recognize that breaking eating habits can be hard, but moderation is key. Try to have red meat-free days at least a few times a week and replace red and processed meat with alternative sources of protein, such as fish, poultry and legumes. You should be especially careful with smoked and cured meats, as those are the most carcinogenic. Also, limit drinking alcohol to weekends or holidays.
Take-home message. The study found that people who ate red and processed meat 4 or more times a week were 20% more likely to develop bowel cancer. Also, those who drank a pint or more beer daily were at an 8% higher risk of developing bowel cancer, so it’s important to limit your consumption of both processed meat, red meat and alcohol as much as you can. At the same time, it is recommended to increase your daily fiber intake, which can decrease your risk of developing the condition.