A fiber-rich diet can help lower a person’s risk of colorectal cancer. Experts recommend that people eat at least 30 grams (g) of fiber daily.
Colorectal cancer refers to cancers of the colon and the rectum. Colon cancer starts in the colon, and rectal cancer starts in the rectum.
Eating a fiber-rich diet may help prevent colorectal cancer from developing. It may also help prevent a person from dying from the disease.
Aside from potentially lowering a person’s risk of colorectal cancer, increasing fiber intake may also help reduce cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk.
Read on for how to increase dietary fiber intake and the best sources of fiber.
![Image of oat breakfast bowls with fruit](http://i0.wp.com/post.brandandgeneric.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/breakfast-bowels-fibre-cancer-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg?w=1155&h=1528)
According to
A diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with limited red and processed meat and sugary drinks, likely lowers a person’s risk of colorectal cancer.
Cancer Research UK notes that a high fiber diet may reduce a person’s risk of bowel cancer because:
- Fiber increases stool frequency and bulk and dilutes the contents of stool. Therefore, harmful chemicals leave the bowel sooner.
- Bacteria in the bowel that come into contact with fiber make butyrate, which helps maintain cell health in the bowel and reduces the chances of tumor growth.
A
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), people should aim to eat a minimum of 30 grams (g) of fiber a day.
This translates to an average increase of 12–15 g daily for adults in the United States to meet the AICR’s 30g daily recommendation.
AICR data suggests that every 10 g increase in fiber relates to a 7% reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
A
The study revealed an association between eating whole grains and a lower chance of developing colorectal cancer, especially rectal cancer.
Additionally, a
Specifically, the researchers found an association between cereal fiber intake and the risk of dying from colorectal cancer. They also found an association between vegetable fiber intake and the overall risk of dying but not specifically due to colorectal cancer.
A 2020 study in the journal
- overall metabolic health
- cardiovascular disease
- colon health
- gut motility, which is the movement of food through the gastrointestinal system, from the mouth to the anus
- risk of colorectal cancer
- chances of dying
Additionally, the gut microflora uses dietary fiber to help with appetite regulation, metabolism, and regulating the inflammatory response.
The
- Add fiber to breakfast, such as having avocado toast topped with chickpeas or a bowl of oatmeal with nuts and berries.
- Choose whole grains, such as bread that lists whole grain flour as the first ingredient, brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta.
- Eat more nonstarchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, spinach, broccoli, or frozen mixed vegetables.
- Eat legumes, such as lentils, peas, or different kinds of beans (pinto, kidney, lima, navy, garbanzo).
- Snack on fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, such as apples, pears, bananas, baby carrots, almonds, sunflower seeds, and pistachios.
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum.
A fiber-rich diet may reduce a person’s chances of developing colorectal cancer. Increasing intake after diagnosis may also reduce a person’s chances of dying from the disease.
Fiber intake can also help maintain digestive, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.
People can increase their fiber intake by choosing whole grains, nonstarchy vegetables like spinach and broccoli, and beans and pulses.