Bowel cancer risk 22pc lower for men who eat a diet high in healthy plant-based foods, study finds

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide
Research linked a diet high in vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes to a 22 per cent lower risk of bowel cancer in men compared to the least healthy diet

Wellness

USA TODAY

Published: 4:15pm, 15 Dec 2022

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Better to ask for more helpings of broccoli, spinach or other healthy vegetables, gentlemen. New research shows men can reduce the risk of bowel cancer by eating a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes.

The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, involved 79,952 US men and found those eating the highest level of healthy plant-based foods could cut their risk by up to 22 per cent compared with those who ate the least.

Researchers found no such link among 93,475 US women in the study. According to researchers, the study suggests the link is clearer for men, who have a slightly higher risk of bowel cancer.

On average, the men were 60 years old at the start of the study; the women were about 59.

Eating whole grains and legumes in particular is linked to a lower risk of bowel cancer. Photo: Shutterstock

The study’s participants were asked how often they consumed particular foods and drinks from a list of 180 options. Researchers also queried them about portion size.

Options were divided into food groups including animal foods (meat, dairy, eggs, fish or seafood), less healthy plant foods (food including potatoes and refined grains among others) and healthy plant foods like vegetables and legumes.

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Participants told researchers whether they ate each item “never or hardly ever” or “two or more times a day”. For drinks, responses ranged from “never or hardly ever” to “four or more times a day”.

Women ate higher amounts of healthy plant foods and lower amounts of less healthy plant foods than did men.

The analysis of individual food components showed that a higher intake of whole grains and legumes was associated with a lower risk of bowel cancer. Whole grains include barley; bulgur; farro; millet; quinoa; black, brown, red and wild rice; spelt; and oats. Legumes include peas, lentils and beans – such as soy, chickpeas and kidney beans.

Antioxidants found in foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains could contribute to lowering colorectal cancer risk by suppressing chronic inflammation. Photo: Shutterstock

The researchers suggest that the lower amounts of unhealthy plant foods and animal foods in a healthful plant-based diet are likely behind the risk reduction.

Bowel (also known as colorectal) cancer is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International.

The risk of developing it over a lifetime is one in 23 for men and one in 25 for women, said one of the study’s authors, Kim Ji-hye of Kyung Hee University in South Korea.

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“Although previous research has suggested that plant-based diets may play a role in preventing colorectal cancer, the impact of plant foods’ nutritional quality on this association has been unclear,” Kim said in a news release describing the findings.

“Our findings suggest that eating a healthy plant-based diet is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.”

Antioxidants found in foods such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains “could contribute to lowering colorectal cancer risk by suppressing chronic inflammation, which can lead to cancer”, she said.

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