By David Liu, Ph.D.

Saturday Nov 12, 2011 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new review study published in bmj.com suggests that eating a diet high in dietary fiber particularly from cereal and whole grain products may help prevent colorectal cancer.

The study based on data from 25 prospective studies of almost two million participants shows that each increase of 10 grams of total dietary fiber and cereal fiber per day was associated with a 10 percent reduced risk of colorectal cancer. 

According to the study, eating three servings of 90 grams per day of whole grains was correlated with about a 20 percent reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer.

Whole grain foods defined in the study included whole grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, brown rice and porridge.

However, the study led by a team of UK and Dutch researchers did not find that eating fruit or vegetable fiber was correlated with risk of colorectal cancer.   Early studies found eating fruits and vegetables was linked to lower risk of this disease suggesting that some other food ingredients may be responsible for the potential health benefits.

Many studies have associated lower risk of colorectal cancer with eating fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables, but not all studies are consistent.  The current study confirmed the 40-year old notion that eating dietary fiber may help prevent colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is diagnosed in more than 1.2 million people worldwide. In the United States, 101,340 people are expected to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 40,000 people to be diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2011, according to the National Cancer Institute.  Colorectal cancer, colon and rectal cancer together is expected to kill 50,000 in the U.S.

In addition to cancer, dietary fiber and whole grains may help reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, overweight and reduce risk of premature death among other things, according to a press release by bmj.com.

Thirty grams of dietary fiber or at least one pound of green vegetables per day is believed to be neccessary for a healthy diet.