The next time your sweet tooth sends out peanut-butter-cookie signals, stave off the sugar rush and reach for a spoonful of all-natural peanut butter instead.
Why? Your colon will thank you. Ditching cookies and other sugar-laden refined carbs may mean less risk of colon cancer.
Ratchet Up the Risk
Research shows that eating a diet rife with sucrose (the stuff found in your sugar bowl and most candies and sweets) and other high-glycemic-index items can increase your risk of colon cancer. But candies aren't the only place you'll find sucrose. Check the labels on salad dressings, spaghetti sauces, and condiments, too. (Ketchup has 4 grams per tablespoon!)
Better Choices
So, what should you eat instead to keep your colon happy and healthy? It's simple.
- Go for whole grains. Study after study shows that more high-fiber whole grains equal better colon health. Test your whole-grain smarts here.
- Be picky about protein. Opt for fish, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, tofu, and legumes over processed meats and cold cuts -- which are linked to colon cancer. Try this recipe for Tofu with Peanut-Ginger Sauce.
- Drink your milk -- or eat yogurt, if you prefer. The calcium and vitamin D in dairy products have a protective effect. Plus, a little yogurt can help cure this.
Did You Know?
Colonoscopies could prevent up to 80% of colon cancers in high-risk people.
Here's how they work and when you should have one done.
RealAge Benefit: Learning to read labels and avoiding foods with saturated and trans fats, simple sugars, or processed grains as one of the first five ingredients can make your RealAge 3.6 years younger.
Dietary glycemic load and risk of colorectal cancer in the Women's Health Study. Higginbotham, S., Zhang, Z. F., Lee, I. M., Cook, N. R., Giovannucci, E., Buring, J. E., Liu, S.; Women's Health Study,
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2004 Feb 4;96(3):229-233.
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