PLOS: Yogurt and Canned Beans May Help Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer

The researchers followed participants for 18 years, during which 10,075 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed. Overall, people who consumed more ultra-processed foods did not have a significantly higher risk of developing the disease. However, the results varied depending on the type of food.

An additional daily serving of whole-grain bread was associated with a 13% lower risk of colorectal cancer. An even stronger association was observed for fiber: every additional 10 grams consumed per day from processed foods, such as canned beans, was associated with a 28% lower risk. An extra serving of certain dairy products, including sweetened yogurt and milkshakes, correlated with a 25% lower likelihood of developing the disease.

"Meat products, however, showed the opposite association. Each additional daily serving of processed meat, such as bacon, was associated with an 8% higher risk. For meat that was not classified as ultra-processed, the increase was 4%," the researchers noted.

The authors suggest that some commercially manufactured foods may offer health benefits because they contain fiber and other nutrients. Fiber helps maintain normal bowel function and is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer.

The researchers emphasize that the findings do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. The study included Americans aged 50 to 71, so the results cannot automatically be applied to younger people or the entire population.