Exciting New Findings Linking Fish to Lower Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Posted on :  July 21, 2020
Safcol Fish Market

by Ashleigh Feltham
Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist

You may be aware of the health benefits of eating fish for your body as well as fish’s anti-inflammatory properties. But, have you ever considered eating fish to decrease your risk of colorectal cancer? A comprehensive report analysing global research and lifestyle choices have identified fish as a factor which may help reduce your risk of this cancer.

Did you know that nearly half of all cases of colorectal cancer can be prevented through lifestyle choices? Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and many people do not know just how much power they hold in lowering their risk of this cancer.  A major report by the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute of Cancer Research found these factors which can reduce your risk:

  1. Make sure you are enjoying the quality fish varieties sold by Safcol Seafood on a regular basis. As consuming fish has been linked with a lower risk of colorectal cancer! Safcol Seafood sells four types of fish: Salmon, sardines, tuna, and trout. This means no matter what your taste preferences your needs will be met.
  2. Eating 3 servings of 90g of whole grains a day may reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by 17%. This was found as an independent factor of other foods like fruit and vegetables.
  3. Remember to move your body. People who are more physically active had a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Find ways which you like to move and stick with those as exercise is meant to be fun. Try riding a bike with the family, taking the dog for a walk or enjoy the social interaction of a group fitness class.
  4. Make sure you are getting your 2 fruit and 5 vegetable servings day. If you are eating only 100g or a cup and a bit a day this puts you at greater risk.
  5. Foods containing vitamin C decrease your risk of colorectal cancer. Foods high in vitamin C include spinach, strawberries, and oranges.

On the flip side, these lifestyle choices increase your risk of colorectal cancer:

  1. Eating over 500g of red meat a week.
  2. Being obese or overweight.
  3. Drinking more than 2 standard drinks (30g of alcohol) a day.

Practical Advice:

  1. Swap your protein choice a few times a week from red meat to a Safcol Seafood fish.
  2. Make sure half of your plate in each meal is made up of a variety of different vegetables.
  3. Swap the white bread, rice, pasta for whole grain. If you cannot manage the full swap straight away try starting with half and half.
  4. Bring a banana as a snack. It is perfectly packaged already and will be one of two fruit serves you need in the day. Try adding the second to your bowl of cereal in the morning or adding it to yoghurt as a snack or dessert.

Take home message

You have so much power in reducing your risk of colorectal cancer. Take action now to live your best and healthiest life.

Not only is Safcol the Seafood Experts tuna lunchbox friendly, but it also tastes delicious, and boasts some amazing health benefits! Tuna contains Omega-3 fats that are an unsaturated form of fat called polyunsaturated. These types of fats cannot be made by the body, so we need to include them as part of our diet to stay healthy. For good health, you need omega-3 fats in our diet, particularly the type which comes from fish and seafood because it contains two acids known as docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. These two acids are linked to better health for your body particularly for your brain and heart.