New Delhi: Think of the word cancer and the first thing that comes to mind is smoking. After all, smoking has long been seen as one of the root causes of cancer, a disease characterised by the formation of a tumour. This disease often spreads to other body parts and becomes metastatic, interfering with the body’s normal functioning. But doctors say that there is more to cancer than just smoking – it turns out, that even diet is just as responsible. According to new research, eating specifically two foods can be blamed for bowel cancer risk, it is sugar and red meat.
Bowel cancer is said to be one of the deadliest forms of the disease as its symptoms often appear or are spotted at a later stage. In the past few years, this diet has been blamed for obesity, hypertension, weight gain, and even diabetes. But what associates these two seemingly normal foods with cancer risk? Read on to find out.
How do sugar, and red meat raise bowel cancer risk?
The research, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), also found that people aged 50 years and less, who were diagnosed with this form of cancer, had low levels of citrate. This component is produced when food is converted into energy and was lower in comparison to older people diagnosed with the disease.
Researchers found that carbs break down a product known as citrate which is at high levels in older people with this form of the disease, as compared to young-onset bowel cancer. For this, the study included 170 participants diagnosed with bowel cancer. 66 of them had young onset of the disease and 104 had average-onset. Scientists also identified other metabolites that displayed varied levels between cholesterol and citrate groups.
Research also indicates that excessive intake of sugary drinks or red meat leads to obesity, which results in excess energy and could be a risk factor for the disease at a young age. Therefore, cutting down on it can go a long way to mitigate disease risk in the long run.
How to reduce bowel cancer risk?
According to the NHS, the following tips can help fight bowel cancer risk:
Quit smoking
Exercise regularly
Follow a healthy diet
Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily
Reduce alcohol intake
Lose weight
Avoid red and processed meat
Research also indicates that excessive intake of sugary drinks or red meat leads to obesity, which results in excess energy and could be a risk factor for the disease at a young age. Therefore, cutting down on it can go a long way to mitigate disease risk in the long run. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
