Over 1 in 5 new cases of gastrointestinal cancer worldwide are attributed to inappropriate eating habits, according to a recent study by scientists from Huazhong University in China.

According to a survey published in Gastroenterology, the excessive consumption of processed meatthe insufficient fruit intake and the Low consumption of whole grains They were the most important nutritional risk factors.

Researchers argue that nutrition affects the gut microbiome, contributing to cancer development, and propose targeted nutritional interventions as a strategy of risk reduction.

As reported by doctors at the Theodora Psaltopoulou Medical School (Alexandra Hospital) of the School of Medicine, Theodora Psaltopoulou (Pathologist, Professor of Therapeutic-Epidemiology-Public Medicine), Dr. Maria Kaparelou (Pathologist – Oncologist) and Thanos Dimopoulos (T. Rector of EKPA, Professor of Therapeutic – Oncology – Hematology, Director of Therapeutic Clinic), number of diet -related cases doubled between 1990 and 2018.

The study

The study analyzed data from 184 countries and 7 geographical areas, examining 5 types of gastrointestinal cancer: colon, liver, esophagus, pancreas and gall bladder/biliary tract. The rates of developing liver, pancreas and colon cancers have increased significantly over the last three decades.

In 2018, 21.5% of gastrointestinal cancer cases were attributed to the diet, with cases increasing from 580,862 in 1990 to 1,039,877 in 2018. Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Latin America presented Higher nutritionally attributed risk of cancer.

Dr.andrew T. Chan, of Harvard University, said that diet may affect intestinal microbiomes, thus promoting cancer. While the exact mechanism remains unclear, researchers agree on the need for targeted nutrition interventions as a prevention measure.

The authors explained that the burden of gastrointestinal cancer attributed to the diet was higher among adults with higher education and who lived in urban areas than between those with lower education and residents in the countryside.

Some eating habits tended to be worse in countries with a higher socio -grading index, in particular the more developed areas showed higher consumption of processed meat.

Summarizing this recent study, it appeared that more than 21% of cases of gastrointestinal cancer worldwide are related to excessive consumption of processed meat and inadequate intake of fruits and whole grains.