Researchers discovered that the foods we eat play a major role in whether people develop colon polyps—small growths in the colon that doctors watch carefully. By studying the gut bacteria and eating habits of people with and without polyps, scientists found that high-fat, high-sugar, and ketogenic diets were linked to more polyps. People who ate more red meat and calories had more polyps, while those eating foods rich in vitamins E and K had fewer problems. This suggests that changing what we eat might help prevent these growths from forming in the first place.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the foods people eat and the bacteria in their guts are connected to the development of colon polyps
  • Who participated: The study included people with colon polyps, healthy people without polyps, and people with liver diseases. The exact number of participants wasn’t specified in the available information.
  • Key finding: People who ate high-fat, high-sugar, and ketogenic diets had more colon polyps. Those with multiple polyps ate significantly more calories, fat, and red meat compared to those with single polyps or no polyps. People with single polyps ate more foods containing vitamins E and K.
  • What it means for you: If you’re concerned about colon polyps, eating less red meat and fatty foods while increasing foods rich in vitamins E and K (like nuts, seeds, and leafy greens) may help reduce your risk. However, this is one study, and you should talk to your doctor about your personal risk and prevention strategies.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from different groups of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. Scientists collected stool samples from four groups: people with colon polyps, healthy people without polyps, people with alcoholic fatty liver disease, and people with other liver and intestinal conditions. They analyzed the bacteria in these samples and compared them across groups. They also asked participants about their eating habits and analyzed what nutrients and potentially harmful substances were in their diets. The researchers then divided the polyp patients into two groups—those with one polyp and those with multiple polyps—to see if their eating patterns were different.

This approach is important because it allows researchers to see patterns between diet, gut bacteria, and polyp development all at once. By comparing people with polyps to healthy people and those with other conditions, scientists could identify what makes the polyp group different. Looking at gut bacteria is valuable because these microorganisms influence how our bodies process food and protect our intestinal health.

This study has some strengths: it examined multiple groups for comparison, analyzed both diet and gut bacteria together, and looked at different polyp severities. However, because it’s a cross-sectional study, it shows associations (connections) rather than proving that diet causes polyps. The study doesn’t specify how many people participated, which makes it harder to judge how reliable the findings are. The results suggest patterns worth investigating further but shouldn’t be considered definitive proof.

What the Results Show

The researchers found that different groups had distinctly different types of bacteria in their guts. People with colon polyps had high levels of Bacteroidetes bacteria, while people with different liver diseases had different bacterial patterns. Within the polyp group, certain bacteria called Prevotellaceae and Paraprevotellaceae were especially common. When looking at diet, people with colon polyps tended to eat high-fat diets, ketogenic diets (very low carb, high fat), and high-sugar diets. These dietary patterns appeared to be connected to the specific bacteria found in polyp patients’ guts. The connection between diet and polyps seemed to work through changes in the gut bacteria and the nutritional environment they create.

The study revealed important differences between people with single polyps versus multiple polyps. Those with multiple polyps ate significantly more calories overall, more total fat, and more red meat. Interestingly, people with only a single polyp ate fewer calories and less fat but consumed more foods containing vitamins E and K—nutrients found in foods like nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy green vegetables. This suggests that the severity of polyp development might be related to how much unhealthy food someone eats and how many protective nutrients they consume.

This research builds on growing evidence that gut bacteria and diet are connected to colon health. Previous studies have suggested links between diet and colon cancer risk, but this study specifically focuses on colon polyps, which are earlier warning signs. The finding that specific bacterial types appear in polyp patients aligns with other research showing that gut bacteria composition changes with different diseases. However, most previous studies haven’t looked as closely at the combination of diet, specific bacteria, and polyp severity together.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s a snapshot in time rather than following people over years, so we can’t prove that diet causes polyps—only that they’re connected. Second, the study doesn’t specify the total number of participants, making it difficult to assess how reliable the findings are. Third, the study relied on people reporting what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Fourth, the research doesn’t prove that the bacteria cause the polyps or that changing diet will prevent them—only that associations exist. Finally, we don’t know if the dietary patterns came before the polyps developed or after, which is important for understanding cause and effect.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, people concerned about colon polyp risk may benefit from: (1) reducing intake of high-fat foods and red meat, (2) avoiding high-sugar diets, (3) being cautious about very low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diets, and (4) eating more foods rich in vitamins E and K like nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens. However, these are suggestions based on one study showing associations, not definitive medical advice. Confidence level: Moderate—the findings are interesting but need confirmation from additional studies.

This research is most relevant for people with a family history of colon polyps, those over 45 (when polyp screening typically begins), and anyone who has already had polyps removed. People with inflammatory bowel conditions or liver disease may also find this relevant. However, everyone should consult their doctor about personal polyp risk and screening recommendations, as age, family history, and other factors matter significantly.

If someone changes their diet based on these findings, they shouldn’t expect immediate results. Gut bacteria take weeks to months to shift in response to dietary changes. Any reduction in polyp formation would likely take even longer to detect, typically requiring follow-up colonoscopy screening in 3-10 years depending on what was previously found. This is a long-term prevention strategy, not a quick fix.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily intake of red meat servings, total dietary fat grams, and servings of vitamin E and K-rich foods (nuts, seeds, leafy greens, vegetable oils). Monitor weekly averages to identify patterns and progress toward reducing high-risk foods while increasing protective nutrients.
  • Set a specific goal such as ‘Replace one red meat meal per week with a plant-based alternative’ or ‘Add one serving of leafy greens or nuts to my daily diet.’ Use the app to log these swaps and track consistency over 4-week periods.
  • Create a monthly nutrition scorecard tracking: (1) red meat servings per week, (2) total fat intake, (3) sugar intake, and (4) vitamin E and K food servings. Review trends quarterly and adjust dietary goals based on progress. Share results with your healthcare provider at annual checkups.

This research shows associations between diet, gut bacteria, and colon polyps but does not prove that diet changes will prevent polyps from developing. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about colon polyps, a family history of colon cancer, or are due for screening, please consult your healthcare provider. Do not make significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications, without discussing them with your doctor or a registered dietitian first.