Can a Fiber-Rich Diet Reduce the Risk of Bowel Cancer?

According to the results of studies conducted over many years, a fiber-rich diet, in addition to its many known benefits, also helps protect against colorectal cancer. Fiber in grains and whole-grain products is particularly effective in this regard.

Fiber, in other words roughage, is the part of plants that cannot be digested by our bodies. It is generally found in fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes. There are 2 types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar and supports weight control. Thus, it also reduces the risk of heart disease. Foods rich in soluble fiber include legumes, oatmeal, oat bran, barley and fruits. Insoluble fiber helps regulate bowel function and prevent constipation, and is abundant in wheat, green vegetables and fruit skins. Fiber also helps protect against problems such as diverticular bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids (piles), gallstones and hiatal hernia. In addition to all these benefits of a fiber-rich diet, whether it is also associated with protection against bowel cancer has been studied for many years.

In the 1970s, based on the observation that bowel cancer was less common among rural Africans whose diets consisted predominantly of fiber-rich foods, it was thought that fiber reduced the risk of bowel cancer, and studies on this subject were initiated. While research until 10 years ago suggested that fiber was not effective in this regard, reliable studies conducted in recent years support the idea that fiber reduces the risk of bowel cancer. In particular, a study published in the British Medical Journal during the past period reached results confirming this idea, especially with regard to fiber in grains and whole-grain products.

This study was conducted by compiling and analyzing data from 25 separate studies published on this subject in recent years. The study examined not only whether fiber in general reduces the risk of bowel cancer, but also the effect of fiber types in different foods on this relationship. Ultimately, it was found that fiber in grains and whole-grain products reduces the risk of bowel cancer, whereas fiber in fruit, vegetables and legumes does not have such an effect.

In conclusion, in addition to the dozens of benefits they provide, fiber-rich foods also help protect against colorectal cancer, one of the most common types of cancer. By making small changes to your daily diet, you can increase the place of fiber in your diet and help prevent many health problems that may arise in the future.