Work from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland has found that the consumption of sodas, cakes, biscuits, snacks and desserts is linked to an increased risk in colorectal cancer (bowel cancer). Conducted last year using data from the Scottish Colorectal Cancer Study, the study included 2,063 patients suffering from bowel cancer and 2,776 controls from Scotland. The study builds on previous research analyzing links between diet and bowel cancer, which identified two distinct eating patterns. One was a diet high in healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables, and the other diet was high in meat, fat and sugar. The research team analyzed over 170 foods, including fruits, vegetables, fish and meat, as well as chocolate, nuts, crisps and fruit drinks. They also looked at links between some established risks of bowel cancer, such as family history of cancer, physical activity and smoking. Results revealed that the healthy diet was associated with a decreased risk of bowel cancer, while the high fat and sugar diet is associated with an increased risk. |