Vegetarian Diets Are Associated with Lower Risk for Colorectal Cancer

In an observational study, no red meat consumption conferred CRC benefit.

High red meat consumption is associated with excess risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), and high fiber intake is associated with lowered risk; however, the effect of various types of meatless or vegetarian diets is less clear. In this North American prospective cohort study, researchers identified dietary patterns and CRC incidence in nearly 78,000 adults who were followed for a mean of 7 years, during which 490 CRCs developed. Participants were characterized, based on food frequency questionnaires, as following one of five diets:

Vegans: No eggs, dairy, fish, or meat
Lacto-ovo vegetarians: Eggs and dairy, but no fish or meat
Pescovegetarians: Eggs, dairy, and limited fish, but no meat
Semivegetarians: eggs, dairy, and limited fish plus meat (≤1 …

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

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Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

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Vegetarian Diets Are Associated with Lower Risk for Colorectal Cancer

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