The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent research
Dietary fibers, abundant in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are associated with numerous health benefits, including the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer globally. This review examines findings from eighteen primary studies exploring the relationship...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture and Food Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325003709 |
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| author | On Yee Annie Chan Ling Tao Guodong Chen Lingyan Kong |
| author_facet | On Yee Annie Chan Ling Tao Guodong Chen Lingyan Kong |
| author_sort | On Yee Annie Chan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dietary fibers, abundant in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are associated with numerous health benefits, including the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer globally. This review examines findings from eighteen primary studies exploring the relationship between dietary fiber intake and CRC risk across different populations worldwide. The total dietary fiber (TDF), its subcategories, soluble and insoluble fibers, and fiber from various food sources were investigated for their associations with cancers at colon and rectal sites, colorectal adenoma (CRA), and early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). Despite some inconsistencies, most studies indicate that higher TDF intake is significantly associated with a reduced CRC risk. For example, a case-control study in Iran reported a significant inverse association (OR = 0.35, 95 % CI: 0.21–0.58, P < 0.0001), while a prospective UK Biobank analysis found similar results (HR = 0.80, 95 % CI: 0.69–0.93, P = 0.003). Specifically, fiber from whole grains consistently reduces CRC risk, while fruit fiber appears protective against CRA and EOCRC. Soluble and insoluble fibers, such as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and stachyose, also show protective effects against CRC and colon cancer (CC). For instance, in a case-control study in Italy, stachyose intake was found to be negatively associated with CRC (OR = 0.66, 95 % CI: 0.54–0.80, P < 0.001) and CC (OR = 0.74, 95 % CI = 0.66–0.83), respectively. This review provides a global perspective, including large-scale studies with diverse measurements of dietary fiber and related CRC risks, and offers a comprehensive overview of the beneficial effects of dietary fiber on the diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3182a3214a514ca58d81d006d9485366 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2666-1543 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture and Food Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3182a3214a514ca58d81d006d94853662025-08-20T02:05:08ZengElsevierJournal of Agriculture and Food Research2666-15432025-06-012110199910.1016/j.jafr.2025.101999The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent researchOn Yee Annie Chan0Ling Tao1Guodong Chen2Lingyan Kong3Department of Human Nutrition, Hospitality and Sport Management, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USADepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Institute of Nutrition, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, ChinaZhanjiang Customs Technology Center, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524022, ChinaDepartment of Human Nutrition, Hospitality and Sport Management, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA; Corresponding author. Box 870311, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA.Dietary fibers, abundant in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are associated with numerous health benefits, including the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer globally. This review examines findings from eighteen primary studies exploring the relationship between dietary fiber intake and CRC risk across different populations worldwide. The total dietary fiber (TDF), its subcategories, soluble and insoluble fibers, and fiber from various food sources were investigated for their associations with cancers at colon and rectal sites, colorectal adenoma (CRA), and early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). Despite some inconsistencies, most studies indicate that higher TDF intake is significantly associated with a reduced CRC risk. For example, a case-control study in Iran reported a significant inverse association (OR = 0.35, 95 % CI: 0.21–0.58, P < 0.0001), while a prospective UK Biobank analysis found similar results (HR = 0.80, 95 % CI: 0.69–0.93, P = 0.003). Specifically, fiber from whole grains consistently reduces CRC risk, while fruit fiber appears protective against CRA and EOCRC. Soluble and insoluble fibers, such as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and stachyose, also show protective effects against CRC and colon cancer (CC). For instance, in a case-control study in Italy, stachyose intake was found to be negatively associated with CRC (OR = 0.66, 95 % CI: 0.54–0.80, P < 0.001) and CC (OR = 0.74, 95 % CI = 0.66–0.83), respectively. This review provides a global perspective, including large-scale studies with diverse measurements of dietary fiber and related CRC risks, and offers a comprehensive overview of the beneficial effects of dietary fiber on the diseases.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325003709Dietary fiberSoluble fiberInsoluble fiberColorectal cancerColorectal adenomaEarly-onset colorectal cancer |
| spellingShingle | On Yee Annie Chan Ling Tao Guodong Chen Lingyan Kong The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent research Journal of Agriculture and Food Research Dietary fiber Soluble fiber Insoluble fiber Colorectal cancer Colorectal adenoma Early-onset colorectal cancer |
| title | The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent research |
| title_full | The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent research |
| title_fullStr | The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent research |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent research |
| title_short | The association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks: A literature review of recent research |
| title_sort | association of dietary fiber intake with colorectal cancer and related risks a literature review of recent research |
| topic | Dietary fiber Soluble fiber Insoluble fiber Colorectal cancer Colorectal adenoma Early-onset colorectal cancer |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325003709 |
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