Could eating more broccoli help lower your colon cancer risk?
Could eating more broccoli help lower your colon cancer risk?
28th Aug, 2025 12:00 PM
Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, are linked to lower
colon cancer risk.
Colorectal
cancer is the third most common cancer in the world.
Colon
cancer diagnoses under the age of 50 are on the rise for a number of
reasons, including eating a diet high in processed foods.
Past
studies show that focusing on certain types of foods may help lower a
person’s colon cancer risk.
A
new study says consumption of cruciferous vegetables may help decrease
colon cancer risk.
As of 2022, there were more than 1.9 million new cases of colorectal cancer globally,
making it the third most common cancer in the world. This type of cancer — also known as colon or bowel cancer —
is currently on the rise in people under
the age of 50. Scientists believe this increased
risk for early-onset colorectal cancer is caused by a combination of
factors, including sedentary
lifestyle, obesity, alcohol
consumption,environmental
factors, and a diet high in processed
foods. Past studies show that focusing on certain types of foods,
like whole plant foods, dietary
fiber, dairyTrusted Source, and fish may
help lower a person’s colon cancer risk. Now a new study recently published in the journal BMC GastroenterologyTrusted Source adds cruciferous vegetables —
like broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
and cauliflower —
to this list with evidence suggesting consumption of these vegetables may help
decrease colon cancer risk. 20–40
g of cruciferous veg a day linked to highest colon cancer protection For this study, researchers analyzed data from a total of
17 studies, encompassing more than 97,000 participants, to search for potential
connections between the amount of cruciferous vegetable consumption and colon
cancer incidence, known as a dose-response relationship. At the study’s conclusion, researchers found
that study participants who ate more cruciferous vegetables — between 20 to 40
grams (g) per day — had a 20% lower risk of colon cancer, compared to those who
ate less.