New research suggests that a doubling of dietary fiber intake almost halves the risk of developing bowel cancer. A study funded by a consortium including Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council and the European Commission recently concluded that in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Denmark cereals are the main source of fiber, while in France, the UK, Italy and Spain, most comes from fruit and vegetables. A team from the US National Cancer Institute meanwhile, has found that people who eat a high-fiber diet are less likely to develop colorectal polyps, which can lead to bowel cancer.

BBC News Online; 2/5/03