Carbohydrates account for approximately 50% of the daily intake for adults on a western-style diet, with starch and sucrose being the largest components. And that’s no surprise, considering how cheap and readily available carb-based foods and ingredients are. Plus, when you add salt, table sugar, and oils to them, carbs can quickly become addictive.
The fact that carbohydrates dominate the Western diet is alarming. Why?
Although carbs are necessary for our well-being (they’re the body’s main fuel source), eating a diet rich in carbs can open you up to a myriad of health issues, one of which is colon cancer.
So, it’s critical to learn all you can about dietary carbs and the risks they expose you to. That’s what we’ll address in this article.
Colon cancer is a major health concern – the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States in men and the fourth in women.
In 2025, it’s estimated that 107,320 people will develop it, and overall, the lifetime risk of developing it is 1 in 24 for men and 1 in 26 for women.
Your diet is one of the most significant risk factors for colon cancer. And according to a growing body of evidence, many foods high in carbohydrates (especially low-quality carbs) can increase your chances of developing the life-threatening condition.
Interestingly enough, a low-carb diet can also drive colon cancer development – this is a newer notion (we’ll cover it further down in this article).
Although many are already aware of the relationship between a carbohydrate-rich diet and colon cancer, the mechanism was not well-understood until now.
In a recent article published in Cell, scientists used a mouse model prone to colon cancer to show that gut microbes promote tumor growth by supplying metabolites that trigger excessive colon cell proliferation. Uncontrolled cell proliferation is the initial step of cancer.
A 2023 study also highlights the role of gut microbes in cancer. It suggests that the high-carbohydrate diet common in Western countries drives dysbiosis.
Other studies, like this one, note that microbial dysbiosis can be instrumental in carcinogenesis through one or more of these mechanisms:
Note: According to study contributors, more research is needed to solidify the above assumptions surrounding high carb diets, dysbiosis, and carcinogenesis, although they do hold substantial merit.
Gut bacteria use carbohydrates to produce a molecule called butyrate that initiates the process of excessive proliferation of the colon epithelial cells.
The major butyrate-producing bacteria belong to the family of Firmicutes and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and it is evident that a diet low in carbohydrates decreases the representative from these two classes of bacteria.
Is butyrate always associated with cancer?The answer is no, only in people carrying a mutation in a gene called MSH2 that predisposes them to acquire colon cancer.
Since we don’t know if we carry the mutation in the gene MSH2 in our genome, it is important to prevent colon cancer by reducing carbohydrates in the diet as well as by having a balanced intestinal microbial community.
According to more recent research from just this year, there are situations where a low-carb diet can drive up your cancer risk. And it’s because of its impact on gut bacteria.
In a 2025 study published in Nature Microbiology, three diet types were studied and compared based on their interaction with different types of gut bacteria:
By the conclusion of the study, scientists found that when a strain of E. coli bacteria was combined with the low-carb diet, colon polyps formed. These polyps are known to be a precursor to cancer.
Except in very specific circumstances, butyrate is broadly protective for colon health and your overall well-being.
Here are the many benefits of the short-chain fatty acid, according to several studies:
Per UCSF Health, around 90% of colorectal cancers are thought to be preventable.
Still, over a hundred thousand people will fall ill with colon cancer. And this is a shame, given that living a healthy lifestyle, which includes consuming a healthy diet, can help you lower your cancer risk.
Not all forms of cancer are preventable, but colon cancer stands out as one where lifestyle choices make a major difference. Considering the deadly nature of a cancer diagnosis, it only makes sense to do all you can to prevent the condition. Hence, the importance of altering your diet to mitigate the risk.
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If you have been eating a carb-heavy diet for a long time, reducing your carbs may be a lot easier said than done.
But don’t worry – with the below carb-busting tips, you can make smart tweaks that make a big difference:
Another great thing you can do for yourself is to start a probiotic supplement to support your gut health. It contains “good” gut bacteria that are known to support the health of your digestive tract.
One excellent source of healthy and friendly bacteria and yeast is Kefir. Kefir helps strengthen the intestines and resists the growth of bad bacteria and pathogens.
Other health benefits of probiotics include:
So what’s the key to reducing colon cancer risk? It’s not eliminating all carbohydrates. It’s making smarter choices and consuming a balanced, microbiome-friendly diet with fruits, vegetables, and key nutrients.
And this means:
If you follow the above dietary guidelines, you’ll give your gut (and your colon) the best possible defense. You might also be able to stave off weight gain, accomplish your weight loss goals, avoid heart disease, and more!
While adjusting your carbohydrate intake is a powerful first step toward protecting your colon and improving your gut microbiome, true long-term health goes even deeper—down to your cells. Supporting cellular repair and reducing inflammation at the root level is essential for disease prevention and healthy aging. That’s where Restore Life can help.
Our Restore Life formula supports boosting your longevity and restoring your youthful glow, both inside and out. It is the only product in the world that is specifically designed to “switch off your aging button.”
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White bread, white and brown rice, pasta, potatoes, sugary breakfast cereals, juice (orange juice and other fruit juice), bananas, and lentils are seven examples of high-carb foods.
Many healthy foods have no carbs: hard-boiled eggs, pickles, olives, tuna, string cheese, and salmon. Eating foods like these can help you build a winning low-carb diet. And don’t forget to skip the fruit drinks.
Not all carbs are unhealthy. Those looking for healthy carbohydrates should reach for: corn, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, zucchini, pumpkin, parsnips, brussels sprouts, and squash. They all have lots of healthy carbs.
Gut Microbial Metabolism Drive Transformation of MSH-Deficient Colon Epithelial Cells
The Burden of Carbohydrates in Health and Disease
Carbohydrates: How carbs fit into a healthy diet
Key Statistics for Colorectal Cancer
Study uncovers how low-carb diet drives colorectal cancer development
Understanding the role of the gut microbiome in gastrointestinal cancer: A review
Role of microbial dysbiosis in carcinogenesis & cancer therapies
The Health Benefits and Side Effects of Butyrate
Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Screening
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