Eating vegetables could help to prevent bowel cancer, say genetic scientists. Research suggests that having a vegetable-rich diet positively affects genes involved in anti-carcinogenic processes.

Two universities, in the Netherlands and Belgium, fed mice with different vegetables, including peas, onions, carrots and cauliflower. The effect of the diet on gene expression in the colon of female mice was then investigated.

Results showed that effects of vegetable consumption on 39 genes were dose-dependant. The expression of a further 15 genes could explain the reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

A full version of the study is available in the August issue of Journal of Nutrition, from the American Society for Nutritional Sciences.