Fibre does cut colorectal cancer risk

[Posted: Fri 11/11/2011 by Deborah Condon www.irishhealth.com]

When it comes to reducing the risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer, new research has confirmed the importance of eating a high fibre diet.

Over 2,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are detected in Ireland every year and almost 1,000 people die of it annually.

According to European researchers, it has long been suggested that fibre in the diet can reduce the risk of this disease, however studies in this area have generally proven inconclusive.

The researchers decided to investigate this further by analysing the results of 25 studies, which involved almost two million people.

They found that eating a diet high in fibre, especially cereals and whole grains, reduced the risk of developing colorectal cancer. In fact, each 10g per day increase in total fibre intake was linked to a 10% fall in colorectal cancer risk, when compared with the lowest levels of fibre intake.

Meanwhile adding 90g per day of whole grains - about three servings - was linked to a 20% reduction in risk.

According to the UK and Dutch researchers, consuming more fibre and whole grains is also likely to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and possibly overall mortality.

"In summary, our analysis suggests that a high intake of dietary fibre, particularly from cereal and whole grains, is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer," the team concluded.

Details of these findings are published in the British Medical Journal.