How high fibre cuts cancer risk
Friday November 11th, 2011
A high fibre diet that is rich in cereal and whole grains may reduce the risk of bowel cancer, researchers say today.
The latest
research seeks to combine all available evidence and suggests that an
increase in fibre by eating wholegrain breads and cereals, oatmeal, brown
rice and porridge could help prevent the cancer.
But the authors, writing in the British Medical Journal, say further studies are needed so that different types of fibre and subsites within the gut can be studied - as well as different lifestyles and dietary habits.
A team of UK and Dutch researchers examined the association between intake of dietary fibre and whole grains and risk of gut cancer as part of the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research’s Continuous Update Project (CUP).
They analysed the results of 25 studies, involving almost two million participants.
The results showed that although the overall reductions in risk were small, a 10g per day increase in intake of total dietary fibre and cereal fibre was linked to a ten per cent reduction in risk of developing the cancer.
Adding three servings – approximately 90g per day – of whole grains was associated with about a 20 per cent reduction.
Increasing dietary fibre and whole grains is also likely to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, they add.
Led by Dagfinn Aune, of Imperial College, London, they say their research suggests: "A high intake of dietary fibre, particularly from cereal and whole grains, is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer."
Writing in the journal, Professor Anne Tjønneland from the Danish Cancer Society said the analysis added to the current evidence of the many health effects of whole grains.
Research is still needed to explain the biological mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of these foods in detail, she added.
British Medical Journal November 11 2011
Tags: Cancer | Diet & Food | Europe| UK News
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