Ultra-processed foods that fuel colon cancer — and healthy alternatives that may offset the damage

• Growing evidence has linked the rise in colon cancer cases to ultra-processed foods that fill our diets. • Researchers found tumors are fueled by Inflammatory compounds and a lack of compounds linked to healing. • Foods such as leafy greens and fish may help pinpoint disease-fighting molecules to stave off cancer.

As colon cancer diagnoses are on the rise in younger people, researchers are discovering that certain foods may help or hurt our odds of developing the disease.

A team of scientists from the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute may have found clues in compounds called bioactive lipids, molecules that can increase or decrease inflammation in the body.

In a study published late last year, the researchers analyzed more than 100 tumor sampl