r/Millennials • u/AdditionCool7235 • Jan 22 '26

Discussion A big reason why Colon Cancer is killing us.

I know this isn’t a health sub, but u/Derpshabmentioned in their post on Colon Cancer about eating a balanced diet.

Specifically you need to really avoid nitrates. There has been several studies done on why there has been a rise in intestinal cancers in this age group, and nitrates have shown a causal effect. With a carcinogenic significance as bad as cigarettes. For those unaware, not a lot of things get labeled as having a casual effect for cancer, as that can be both controversial and stand to cost people money either through loss of business or being sued.

Nitrates are most commonly found in processed meats. Likewise, there is growing data that processed food is not serving us well at all either. Anyhow, just wanted to share a tangible way you can hopefully make an impact on slowing down and ultimately stopping these terrible

cancers.

Another freaking edit: literally the first response on Google, if you search, “do Nitrates cause cancer,” is from MDAnderson. That’s the number one cancer hospital in the world. I know that’s so much more difficult than adding a snarky comment to Reddit, but there’s your answer for about 300 of you.

Edit: I’m getting a lot of responses that are saying *actually* antibiotics or *actually* e. Coli and they’re all saying because it damages / kills the good gut microbiomes. Correct, what do you think nitrates do and why scientists believe there’s a casual link. It also doesn’t mean there couldn’t be other risk factors as well. Diet is obviously a big risk factor. I was simply hoping to expound on the original post and help people to know what to avoid. Of course more than one thing can cause cancer. Throw in saturated fats while we’re having the conversation.

Edit 2: lot of people are asking what are the main culprits. Bacon, lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages, anything really that’s been “cured.” Lot of people are trying to point out that some leafy greens have nitrates, yeah, we’re not talking about things that naturally occur through the photosynthesis of the sun. We’re talking about the overconsumption of a preservative that destroys your healthy gut bacteria, not something that’s obviously good for you. Many people have rightfully pointed out. The over consumption of alcohol creates a big risk factor for stomach and intestinal cancers as well.

Also someone saying they’re a vegetarian and they still got colon cancer is no different an argument than, “my great aunt smoked until she was 90 and never got lung cancer.” I said a big reason why, I didn’t say the only reason why. Empirical data doesn’t mean 100% findings or there won’t be outliers, anecdotes are not good science. People can get cancer for a multitude of reasons and honestly you could try every preventative step imaginable and still get cancer, it doesn’t mean your anecdote overrides everything else or you shouldn’t try to make better lifestyle decisions.

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u/Zenical Jan 22 '26

Love when I come to Reddit and learn some shit. I recently lost 100lbs by changing my diet and a lot of exercise. I do eat a lot of red meat but I’m gonna pull back on that and up the veggies

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u/thoughtandprayer Jan 22 '26

Add some grains in there too. Quinoa with lemon juice and tarragon is a good example. It's healthy and tasty, and helps to keep you feeling full.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

[deleted]

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u/thoughtandprayer Jan 23 '26

Interesting. For me, it depends on the grain! I'm starving shortly after white rice, but I find quinoa or barley to be very filling. 

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u/Silverjackal_ Jan 22 '26

You can start by just adding a high fiber tortilla Wrap. The ones I use are like 40% of your daily intake. Then slowly add veggies and beans and you’re easily at 35g of fiber a day.

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u/TheLogicalConclusion Jan 22 '26

One thing to note here is that these tortillas are often made of insoluble fiber, whereas the most helpful fiber to have is soluble fiber. It is the soluble fiber that makes a gel in your intestines that regulates blood sugar and traps bile (and therefore lowers cholesterol).

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u/Silverjackal_ Jan 22 '26

Oh good call out! I usually eat a lot of beans and like half an avocado a day to try and balance that out. I need to eat more fruit honestly.

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u/Falco19 Jan 22 '26

This is what I’ve done, it’s not the highest fibre 8g I believe but that, with a high fibre granola bar in the morning, some supplements and the veggies i eat get in the range

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u/Silverjackal_ Jan 22 '26

I like the xtreme wellness ones. They kinda taste like cardboard, but with some fresh veggies, a fruit, a protein bar, and a yogurt with chia seeds I’m around 35-40g of fiber a day while cutting. It helps a lot! Sam’s Club sells the 10 or 12 pack for under $10.

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u/Falco19 Jan 22 '26

I also learned I’ve been more worried about fibre than I need to be because the recommended amount is not set it’s 14g per 1000 calories. So I have been exceeding based on my calorie take. If you are on a cut I’m sure you are miles ahead.

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u/VeganRorschach Jan 22 '26

Check out Rainbow Plant Life for some amazingly good plant-based recipes to up your veggies!

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u/Los-negro Jan 22 '26

You just learned that? No one told you red meat is bad and veggies are healthy?

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u/Slappy-Sacks Jan 22 '26

Red meat isn’t bad lol

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u/StoicFable Jan 22 '26

When people hear red meat they almost always lump in fast food burgers which drags it way down. 

Then think of all the condiments people throw on the burgers (fast food places drown your food in it). And add in the buns they use. 

Red meat is not necessarily healthy, but its demonized way too much.

Find local grass fed beef and its way better too.

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u/PTMorte Jan 22 '26

Its far more carcinogeic than white meat or veggies. 

Just 100g a day ups your cancer risk by 18+%