Whole Grain Consumption Found to Help Colorectal Health

by | May 12, 2009 | 2009, Cancer, Colorectal (Colon), Whole Grains

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Those with the highest intakes of whole grains had an 11% reduced risk of colorectal cancer compared to those with the lowest intakes. 

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths (behind lung cancer) in the United States, claiming more than 55,000 Americans each year. It poses a risk for an estimated one in four Americans (80 to 90 million) because of age or other factors and, contrary to what most people believe, both men and women are equally affected (1).  Now a new study (2) has found that whole grains may now help with colorectal health.

In the study, researchers conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of 11 cohort* studies. The studies included more than 1.7 million patients between 25 and 76 years of age who were studied for 6 to 16 years. The researchers found that the average from all of the studies showed those with the highest intakes of whole grains had an 11% reduced risk of colorectal cancer compared to those with the lowest intakes.

For the researchers, “In this multivariate analysis, consumption of whole grains was inversely associated with the risk of developing colorectal cancer.”  This research reinforces recent recommendations to increase whole grain consumption (3) since only 8% of U.S. adults consume three or more servings of whole grain per day and 42% of adults eat no whole grains on a given day. Those who ate 2.5 servings of whole grains per day also had a 21% reduced risk of heart disease compared to those who ate only 0.2 servings per day.

Source: Haas, P., M. J. Machado, A. A. Anton, A. S. S. Silva, and A. De Francisco. “Effectiveness of whole grain consumption in the prevention of colorectal cancer: Meta-analysis of cohort studies.” International journal of food sciences and nutrition 60, no. sup6 (2009): 1-13.

© 2009 International Journal of Food Sciences & Nutrition

Posted May 12, 2009.

References:

  1. “Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet” posted on the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition Website.
  2. Effectiveness of whole grain consumption in the prevention of colorectal cancer: Meta-analysis of cohort studies. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, printed online March 21, 2009.
  3. Mellen PB.  Whole grain intake and cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis.  Nutr Metab Card Dis.  In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 20 April 2007.