Getting to the meat of the problem: Juicy steaks and other red-meat
dishes are culinary signatures in many western nations, including the United
States. However, our appetite for beef and other fatty foods may be one of the
reasons colorectal cancer has become so common.
Researchers have found that red and processed meat may elevate the amount of compounds people have in their large bowel, which in turn mutates DNA, thereby boosting the risk of cancer.
In fact, one study found that people who ate a lot of red and processed meat -more than two portions a day - were much more likely to develop colorectal cancer than were people who ate less than one portion of these foods in a week.
On the other hand, white meat, such as the chicken breast, appears to have the opposite effect. Researchers examining people with a history of colon polyps found that those patients who ate a fair amount of chicken appeared to have a lower risk for developing new polyps.
Other foods for thought: While different forms of meat seem to have
differing contributions to colorectal cancer, most studies wouldn't point to
meat in general to help lower the risk. The kinds of foods that have been tied
to lowering the risk are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Low-fat, high fiber diets are also associated with a variety of other health benefits. So forget a bologna sandwich on white bread - instead, opt for a tasty low-fat cheese sandwich on whole wheat.