5 Foods Colon Cancer Doctors Would Never Eat

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5 Foods Colon Cancer Doctors Would Never Eat

The foods you choose not only determine energy levels and weight changes, but they can also increase or decrease your risk of colorectal cancer.

Although studies have not yet proven that any food directly causes or protects against cancer, plenty of research has shown correlations between diet and a higher frequency of colon cancer.

“The exact mechanisms by which our diet affects the development of colorectal cancer continue to be the subject of laboratory and clinical research,” says Jeremy Kortmansky, MD, clinical director of the Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital. “However, it is well established that foods that cause inflammation lead to the recruitment of pro-inflammatory cytokines (a type of protein), which are associated with colorectal cancer. »

Food choices that promote inflammation can also affect the gut microbiome, a collection of microbes found in your gastrointestinal tract, says Dr. Kortmansky. Unhealthy gut microorganisms create an environment in the colon in which cancer can grow, but a healthy gut can have a protective effect.

Here are the five worst foods for colon health, according to experts, and what you can eat instead to reduce your risk of colon cancer.

1. Beef

Beef and other red meats, such as veal, lamb and pork, are considered among the foods at highest risk for developing colorectal cancer. In fact, studies have shown that with every 100 grams (g) increase [3.5 ounces (oz)] of red meat per day, the risk of colorectal cancer increases by up to 16 percent.

Red meat contains a compound called heme iron, which can increase the formation of cancer-causing N-nitroso compounds.

Because of this increased risk, red meat is avoided by many colon cancer doctors, including Suneel Kamath, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic and assistant professor of medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. “An unhealthy gut microbiome – more bad bacteria – has been associated with this type of diet,” he says. Between the health of your gut microbiome and the compounds found in red meat, long-term inclusion of this food in your diet may increase your risk of colorectal cancer.

2. Hot dogs and other processed meats

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer labeled processed meat carcinogenic to humans.

“I very rarely eat processed meat,” Kortmansky says. “These foods lead to changes in metabolites and the gut microbiome.”

Beyond their effect on gut microbes, processed meats also contain chemical preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, which can expose your colon to N-nitroso compounds and increase your risk of developing cancer.

But added chemicals are not the only source of risk. Salted, cured, fermented, or smoked meats may also increase cancer risk, says Dr. Kamath. Any processed meat can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 22 percent for every 50 g (1.8 oz) consumed per day.

3. Charred Steak

How you cook red meat may also affect cancer risk.

“Cooking red meat at very high temperatures (like on a barbecue) results in the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chemicals that can damage DNA and lead to the development of tumors,” explains Kortmansky.

Research has shown this link in animals, but more research in humans is needed.

How you cook your meat has an impact, but the meat itself is still 90 percent of the problem, says Kamath, who recommends avoiding red and processed meats, regardless of how they’re cooked.

4. Candy

The sugar in candy and other sweet treats can create great conditions for cancer to grow. “Candy has a very high caloric load, but it doesn’t really keep you full for very long,” says Kamath. “And so I often find that the problem is that because you don’t feel full at all, you’re just going to continue eating the normal amount that you would have eaten otherwise.”

Sugary foods aren’t the only culprits of empty calories: high-sugar drinks like juice and soda are, too. “Sugary drinks are associated with excess calories that lead to obesity,” Kortmansky says, and research shows that obese people who have a greater amount of body fat are at higher risk of developing cancer.

“Obesity can cause insulin resistance and high levels of circulating insulin growth factor,” says Kortmansky, which can promote rapid cell division and the creation of tumors.

5. Alcohol

Even though alcoholic beverages aren’t foods, it’s important enough that our two experts want to include alcohol on this list. “Alcohol is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including colorectal cancer,” Kortmansky says.

For every alcoholic drink you consume daily, your risk of colorectal cancer increases by 6 percent, and this figure can reach 52 percent when you drink four drinks a day.

When you drink alcohol, it changes your gut microbiome, suppresses protective enzymes and makes it easier for cancer cells to grow, adds Kortmansky.

When your body digests alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, which is a type 1 carcinogen, meaning studies have shown it can cause cancer in humans.

Acetaldehyde can damage DNA, sometimes leading to mutations, Kamath says. “We’re learning that there really is no safe amount of alcohol. Every drink you drink has a negative impact,” he says.

What to eat instead

To reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, you can choose foods that protect you. “I’m a big believer in the Mediterranean diet, which is very low in red meats and processed foods,” says Kamath. “Instead, your protein comes more from fish, poultry, beans and legumes.” Research studies show that following a Mediterranean diet reduces your risk of colorectal cancer by up to 17 percent.

The Mediterranean diet also includes leafy green vegetables and cooking with olive oil rather than animal fat or other vegetable oils, says Kamath. “When you have this good diet, you also benefit from an enrichment of better bacteria,” says Kamath.

The following foods may reduce your risk of colon cancer:

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower

Fiber, that you can get from whole grains, fruits and vegetables

Milkman products like milk, cheese and yogurt

If you need help determining the best diet to reduce your risk of colon cancer, your doctor can connect you with a dietitian to create an optimal nutrition plan with you.

Takeaways

Certain types of foods can increase your risk of developing colon cancer, especially when you eat them regularly over the long term.

Colorectal cancer doctors advise against consuming too much beef, processed meat, sugary foods and drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

If you have questions about your personal risk for colorectal cancer, contact a healthcare professional, who can help you make safe food choices and reduce your risk.