Lee Swanson Research Update

Flavonols May Help Cut Colorectal Cancer Risk

An increased intake of antioxidant flavonols from tea, onions, beans and apples may slash the risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 76%, a new study suggests.

Analysis of data from a randomized dietary intervention trial showed that flavonols—a sub-group of flavonoids—significantly reduced risk, according to findings published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention.

The study adds to a growing body of science linking increased consumption of flavonol-rich foods, such as fruit and vegetables, to risk reductions for a range of cancers, including lung, pancreatic and breast cancer.

Flavonoids, found in certain wine, fruits, vegetables, tea, nuts and chocolate, have received extensive research due to their potent antioxidant activity and purported health benefits. Many have also been implicated in possible protection against diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The researchers, led by Gerd Bobe from the National Cancer Institute, used data from the updated flavonoid database from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to quantify the intake of 29 individual flavonoids, total flavonoids, and six flavonoid subgroups among participants of the Polyp Prevention Trial.

The trial studied the effect of a low-fat, high-fiber diet, rich in fruit and vegetables on the recurrence of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon and rectum. Over 2,000 men and women were randomly assigned to either the “healthy” diet, or a normal diet.

Using food frequency questionnaires, Bobe and co-workers analyzed dietary consumption of the polyphenols and, after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, fiber intake, BMI, sex and the use of regular non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory medication, they found that an increased intake of flavonols was linked to a 76% reduction in the recurrence of advanced tumors.

“Our data suggest that a flavonol-rich diet may decrease the risk of advanced adenoma recurrence,” Bobe and co-workers concluded.

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 17:1344-1353, 2008

New to Natural Health?
Tools
Customer Service