Inflammatory Foods Linked to Colorectal Cancer

Inflammation-promoting products, such as red and processed meats, play a role in colorectal cancer development, according to a study published in JAMA Oncology. Researchers compared dietary habits with cancer incidence for 121,050 participants over 26 years and rated their diets for their inflammatory potential. Pro-inflammatory products included processed meats, red meat, organ meats, and sodas. Men and women who consumed more of these products were 44 and 22 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer, respectively, compared with those who consumed the least. These findings highlight the importance of diet in cancer development. The authors suggest clinicians focus on interventions to lower inflammation as a preventive measure for colorectal cancer.