A list of foods a colorectal surgeon says he has cut out of his own diet — from artificially colored snacks to ultra-processed protein bars — is circulating on social media. Giving up foods known to be unhealthy is hard for anyone, but what does a doctor who deals with bowel disease every day actually avoid?
Parameshwara C.M., chief director of the Smiles Institute of Gastroenterology in Bengaluru, India, recently posted on social media the eating habits he follows to lower his risk of colon cancer, according to medical industry sources on the 29th. A colorectal surgeon with extensive operating experience, he listed five foods he routinely avoids.
First on his list were candies and jellies containing artificial coloring. He said such snacks offer almost no nutritional value while potentially causing intestinal inflammation, and recommended nutrient-dense alternatives such as nuts, pumpkin seeds and berries. Research in South Korea has also examined the relationship between food dyes and the balance of gut microbiota, but large-scale epidemiological studies in humans remain limited.
Processed meats such as bacon, sausage and deli meat also made the list. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, the same category as tobacco and asbestos. Reviewing about 800 studies at the time, the IARC concluded that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily raises the risk of colon cancer by 18%.
National cancer registry statistics for 2022, released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Central Cancer Registry, show colon cancer accounted for 11.8% of all cancer cases, making it the second most common cancer in the country after thyroid cancer. With the Westernization of diets long cited as a major cause, the doctor's warnings align with the domestic data.
He also avoids sauces high in added sugar, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce and store-bought dressings, suggesting olive oil or lemon juice instead when flavor is needed. The same applies to shelf-stable packaged soups and canned vegetable soups, which he said carry high sodium levels that can lead to water retention and strain on blood vessels.
The last item was ultra-processed protein bars. Easy to carry and often used as meal replacements, many contain high levels of artificial protein and sugar alcohols that can cause bloating or digestive problems, he said. He advised getting protein from whole foods such as fresh eggs, fish and lentils.
The content, however, reflects personal views posted on social media, without accompanying research papers or clinical data. Apart from the IARC material supporting the carcinogen classification of processed meat, the remaining items should be seen as recommendations based on one specialist's clinical experience rather than figures verified by internationally recognized research institutions.
