01/30/2015
Maturitas
Baena R, et al. – The aim of this report is to present a review of the published epidemiologic research to date reflecting the most current scientific evidence related to diet and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. CRC is a preventable disease through the modification of associated risk factors, including physical inactivity, obesity and overweight, excessive meat intake, smoking and alcoholic beverage consumption. Nonetheless, epidemiological evidence in this regard is not conclusive so further research is warranted.
Methods
- EMBASE and PubMed–NCBI were searched for relevant articles up to November 2014 that identified potentials interactions between foods or dietary patterns with CRC risk.
Results
- Obesity increases the risk of CRC by 19%.
- Regular physical activity reduces this risk by 24%.
- CRC risk derived from red meat intake is influenced by both total intake and its frequency.
- Fish consumption may decrease CRC risk by 12% whereas garlic intake is not significantly associated with reduced CRC risk.
- Intakes of more than 20?g/day of fiber are associated with a 25% reduction of CRC risk and 525?mL/day of milk reduce colon cancer risk by 26% in men.
- Moderate amounts of alcohol (25–30?g/day) increase CRC risk.