Scientists from the National University College of Ireland in Cork have found that the Western diet (excessive consumption of fried meat, fast food, sugary drinks and full-fat dairy products) increases the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. Research results published In Nature Reviews Microbiology.
In order to highlight the best and worst diets for gastrointestinal health, researchers conducted a scientific review of previously published scientific articles on a similar topic.
The review examined six diet types: the Mediterranean diet (which is dominated by plant foods and healthy fats from fish, nuts, and olive oil), the high-fiber diet (which involves increasing the proportion of dietary fiber in the diet), the plant-based diet, the high-protein diet, the ketogenic diet (which significantly reduces carbohydrates in favor of fats), and the Western diet (characterized by excessive fast food, candy, sugary drinks, processed meats, and dairy products).
The review found that adherence to a Western diet was associated with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) and colorectal cancer. The scientists explained that the harmful effects of the Western diet are the excessive consumption of fat and sugar.
Foods rich in these nutrients are often low in fiber. If the diet is deficient in dietary fiber, the intestines cannot effectively synthesize short-chain fatty acids, which are important for regulating the immune system, energy metabolism, and inflammation in the body.
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