Research Library
Dietary Glycemic Load and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Franceschi, S., Dal Maso, L., Augustin, L., et al., "Dietary Glycemic Load and Colorectal Cancer Risk," Annals of Oncology, 12(2), 2001, pages 173-178.
The following information was written by Atkins professionals.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary glycemic index (a measure of the ability of a carbohydrate in a given food to raise blood glucose levels) and glycemic load (the rapid rise in blood sugar) were associated with risk of colorectal cancer. Eleven hundred twenty-five men and 828 women with documented colon or rectal cancer participated in this study. Average daily dietary glycemic index, glycemic load and fiber intake were calculated from a food-frequency questionnaire and compared to data obtained from 2,073 men and 2,081 women without colorectal cancer. Results revealed a direct association between incidence of colorectal cancer and glycemic index. Being overweight and having a low intake of fiber from vegetables and fruit appeared to increase the negative effect of a high glycemic load. The researchers concluded that the positive association of glycemic index and glycemic load with colorectal cancer suggests that refined carbohydrates play a detrimental role in the disease process.
The following information was written by Atkins professionals.
The findings of this study can be applied to the Atkins Principles of Good Health and Disease Prevention. Consuming large amounts of refined carbohydrates, which are absorbed relatively quickly and cause large spikes in insulin production (a measure of high glycemic index), is related to the incidence of colorectal cancer. High-glycemic carbohydrates tend to be very low in fiber, which may intensify the harmful results of eating excessive amounts. Controlled carbohydrate nutrition, in which low-glycemic vegetables, fruits and whole grains high in fiber serve as the primary carbohydrate sources, may reduce the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating insulin production.
