DASH diet tied to lower colorectal cancer risk
Research we're watching
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Adhering to the DASH diet — which emphasizes eating fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy products — is linked to a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to a research review published May 6, 2025, in BMC Gastroenterology.
Researchers analyzed 14 earlier studies that, combined, tracked more than two million adults ages 25 to 79 for between 11 and 26 years. They compared participants’ adherence to the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet — which also recommends people consume less saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt — with their rates of developing colorectal cancer. Those whose eating patterns closely followed the DASH plan were 19% less likely to get colorectal cancer.
When results were broken down, adhering to the DASH diet was linked to a 25% lower risk of rectal cancer and 17% lower odds of colon cancer. In addition to protecting against high blood pressure (hypertension), the DASH diet appears to have powerful effects on preventing colorectal cancer, the study authors said.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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