What used to be a cancer that occurs after you turn 50, Colorectal cancer occurs in 1 in 23 men and the incidence is rapidly increasing in younger people. Dietary factors is perhaps one of the biggest cause and addressable issue to protect from digestive system cancers including colorectal cancer, anal cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, etc.

In a study published in Frontiers in Public Health, researchers performed a meta-analysis of over 3 million people from five databases including PubMed and Medline.

The researchers found that plant-based diets significantly decreased the risk of digestive system cancers:

Pancreatic Cancer: 29% lower risk

Colorectal Cancer: 24% lower risk

Rectal Cancer: 16% lower risk

Colon Cancer: 12% lower risk

The protective effects of plant-based diets were consistent across different study types. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the effects of vegan diets and other plant-based diets.

With the increase rise in meat and junk food intake, including junk food disguised as health foods, it is not a surprise that the incidence of cancer is increasing in younger people.

Eating a whole food, plant-based diet is more important than ever to address health issues in the country around the world.

Y Zhao et al. The Relationship Between Plant-Based Diet and Risk of Digestive System Cancers: A Meta-Analysis Based on 3,059,009 Subjects. Frontiers in Public Health (2024). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.892153