Eat More High-Fiber Sources And Fermented Dairy Products
In her TikTok video, which was posted in January, Abbey explains that eating foods that are high in fiber can help your gut health and reduce your risk of colon cancer.
"Colon cancer is no joke," she wrote in the caption of her video.
"We definitely wanna be focusing on more high-fiber sources," says Abbey. "Fruits, vegetables, [and] whole grains."
Abbey also mentions that eating fermented dairy products has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Fermented dairy products include food items like yogurt, kefir, sour cream, and cream cheese.
So, whenever you get the chance, throw some more fruits and vegetables into your diet. High-fiber fruits include berries like raspberries and blackberries, which go great with beneficial dairy products like yogurt!
Consume Red Meat, Highly Processed Foods, And Sugary Drinks In Moderation
In addition to eating the healthy sources of fiber and fermented dairy products, Abbey shares that you should intake "red and processed meats, highly processed foods, alcohol, and sugary drinks" in moderation.
While red meat isn't necessarily bad for you, it's not a bad idea to eat it in moderation, especially if it's part of a processed meat product. The American Institute for Cancer Research states there is "strong evidence" showing that eating high amounts of red meat, which includes pork, beef, and lamb, "increases the risk of colorectal cancer."
Additionally, eating too many highly processed foods will not help you in decreasing your chances of getting colon cancer, but can increase them. Studies have shown that eating and drinking these items, like sugary sodas, chips, candy, fast food, etc., in large amounts puts you at a greater risk of getting colorectal cancer.
Moderate to high levels of alcohol consumption can increase your likelihood of developing several types of cancer, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colon cancer is the "most common alcohol-associated cancer among men."
This doesn't mean you can never again have a potato chip or a can of your favorite full-sugar soda. Still, Abbey's information and tips are important reminders to keep your diet balanced and focus on more beneficial foods than potentially dangerous ones. If you are still worried about colon cancer, it's never a bad idea to speak to your doctor about your health history and get screened.