Low consumption of fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables and legumes, may put an individual on the path to developing colon polyps.
Colon polyps are the precursor for colorectal cancer. This study compared the rate of occurrence of colon polyps between regular and infrequent consumers of high fiber foods. With the aid of dietary questionnaires, researchers collected and examined information about the eating habits of 2,818 men and women who participated in the Adventist Health Study. All the participants underwent colonoscopy during the course of the study.
Researchers noted that low intake of fiber-ladened foods, such as vegetables and legumes, raised an individual's risk of having colon polyps. Data from this study indicate that rare consumption or complete avoidance of fiber-containing foods might be a contributing factor to the development of colon polyps.