Surgeon says eating one food can decrease risk of hard-to-detect cancer as cases rise in young people

Since we were all delivered a stark warning about a spike in the number cases of a hard-to-detect cancer, a lot of us have been taking stock of our health.

Maybe you've decided to get a bit more exercise in ahead of the New Year, are fine tuning your sleeping schedule or overhauling your diet.

And if it's the latter, you ought to listen to Dr Karan Rajan's advice about what you should be fuelling your body with.

They don't say you are what you eat for nothing, you know.

The social media medic, who is an NHS Surgeon and a lecturer at Sunderland University, shared a TikTok explaining how you can improve your gut health.

Maintaining a steady environment down there can help reduce your risk of bowel cancer (often referred to as colon or rectal cancer), which is currently on the rise.

Earlier this year, shocking figures from a study conducted by Lancet revealed that cases of it had increased starkly in those who are under 50 years old.

This type of the disease is when it’s found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum.

While it is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, the symptoms can often be dismissed by patients as something else - but the NHS encourage early bowel cancer screenings as it may mean it’s easier to treat.

Researchers from the American Cancer Society, who also led the study, explained that our diet in the modern world could be the reason for the spike in cases.

The experts said that companies who make junk food had broadened their horizons and had began selling products in poorer countries, which then expands the ultra-processed-food diet above traditional meals.

The study found that the ‘steepest inclines’ in early cancer cases were noted in Chile (4%), New Zealand (under 4%), Puerto Rico (3.8%) and England (3.6%).

So, what you eat is very important - and experts have already been warning people not to overindulge in certain stuff.

But now, Dr Rajan has revealed what things we can eat to boost our gut health and dually reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

In a TikTok video, he explained that kiwi is a great fruit for this purpose, as it is 'has been shown in research studies to be as effective as psyllium, husk and prunes to improve the symptoms of bloating and constipation'.

"Kiwi is particularly rich in soluble fibre, which promotes softer stools and increases stool frequency without the associated side effects of some laxatives," he said.

Coffee came next, with Dr Rajan telling his followers that studies have shown it reduces the risk of fatty liver disease, as well as the development of liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease.

He said that it contains a 'double whammy of soluble fibres and polyphenols', and that the latter act as prebiotics which feed your gut good bacteria.

The NHS medic also urged people to try and incorporate yoghurt into their diets, saying it is a product which is 'loved by every GI, surgeon, doctor, or dietitian'.

Dr Rajan said he tries to eat it every day as the benefits are so good - while he also chows down on mixed nuts for the same reason.

He said that studies show that eating the likes of almonds, walnuts, and pistachios can do wonders for your gut health.

"Having a mixture of nuts give you a diverse range of prebiotic fibres, which promote microbiodiversity in your gut," the TikTok star said.

"There are studies suggesting that regular nut consumption - around 20 to 30 grams a day - is associated with a reduction in corrector cancer risk, possibly by reducing inflammation and improving micronial biodiversity."

So if the supermarket shelves are bare on the nut aisle, blame Dr Karan.