- Because it does not dissolve, it more easily moves bulk through the digestive system. Doing so helps to flush out harmful toxins that otherwise could build up in the body. Those very same toxins infest the intestinal tract and can lead to colorectal cancer, bowel cancer and a host of other cancers. Simply put, insoluble fiber moves the unwanted gunk out of our bodies.
- Insoluble fiber promotes regular bowel movements. And in doing so, constipation is a thing of the past. A healthy bowel system is your best bet against the risk of bowel cancer.
- Insoluble fiber speeds up waste elimination from the colon. The longer harmful toxins linger in the colon, the more we are at risk of infection or disease. But if our systems are fast-tracking waste removal from our bodies, then we’re fighting off any risk of colon cancer at the same time.
- Insoluble fiber aids in weight loss. And according to a few studies, weight loss aids in cancer prevention as well as cutting down the risk of the disease returning in cancer survivors. According to Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity of the American Cancer Society, “weight loss has moved to the top of the list” to prevent cancer developing or returning. In fact, breast cancer survivors who lost weight after treatment cut their risk of the disease returning significantly.
- Fiber-rich diets force the body’s metabolism to burn fat as a primary source of nutrition, rather than storing it. Excess unwanted fat puts us all at greater risk of developing cancer as we age. Dietary fat can lead to high levels of bile in the colon, and bile acids can promote tumor growth in the colon.
- Fiber-rich diets high in carotenoids like carrots, Brussels sprouts and squash have been found to help reduce the risk of larynx, throat, lung and pharynx cancers.
- Diets high in fruit help reduce stomach cancer risks, and diets high in lycopene, including tomatoes and guava, may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.