TABLE 3.

WCRF/AICR evidence table for diet, nutrition, physical activity, and colon cancer risk¹

Evidence grade	Relationship	Decreases risk	Increases risk
Strong evidence	Convincing	Physical activity1,2	Processed meat3 Alcoholic drinks4 Body fatness5 Adult attained height6
	Probable	Whole grains Foods containing dietary fiber7 Dairy products8 Calcium supplements9	Red meat10
Limited evidence	Limited–suggestive	Foods containing vitamin C11 Fish Vitamin D12 Multivitamin supplements13	Low intake of nonstarchy vegetables14 Low intake of fruits Foods containing haem iron15
	Limited–no conclusion	Cereals (grains) and their products, potatoes, animal fat, poultry, shellfish and other seafood, fatty acid composition, cholesterol, dietary n-3 fatty acid from fish, legumes, garlic, nondairy sources of calcium, foods containing added sugars, sugar (sucrose), coffee, tea, caffeine, carbohydrate, total fat, starch, glycemic load, glycemic index, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin E, selenium, low fat, methionine, β-carotene, α-carotene, lycopene, retinol, energy intake, meal frequency, dietary pattern
Strong evidence	Substantial effect on risk unlikely
1Physical activity of all types: occupational, household, transport and recreational. 2The panel judges that the evidence for colon cancer is convincing. No conclusion was drawn for rectal cancer. 3The term “processed meat” refers to meats preserved by smoking, curing, or salting, or addition of chemical preservatives. 4Based on the evidence for alcohol intake >∼30 g/d (∼2 drinks/d). 5Body fatness marked by BMI (kg/m2), waist circumference, or waist–hip ratio. 6Adult attained height is unlikely to directly influence the risk of cancer. It is a marker for genetic, environmental, hormonal, and nutritional growth factors affecting growth during the period from preconception to completion of linear growth. 7Includes both foods naturally containing the constituent and foods that have the constituent added. Dietary fiber is contained in plant foods. 8Includes evidence from total dairy, milk, cheese, and dietary calcium intakes. 9The evidence is derived from supplements at a dose of >200 mg/d. 10The term “red meat” refers to beef, pork, lamb, and goat from domesticated animals. 11The panel judges that the evidence for colon cancer is limited. No conclusion was drawn for rectal cancer. 12Includes evidence from foods containing vitamin D, serum vitamin D, and supplemental vitamin D. 13Definitions and categorization of multivitamin supplements are not standardized. 14Increased risk observed at low intakes (>100 g/d). 15Foods include red and processed meat, fish, and poultry.

¹Adapted with permission from (8).