Runners often dismiss GI issues as an occupational hazard, but a new preliminary study offers a reason to pay closer attention. It found that 15% of the marathon and ultramarathon runners studied had high-risk precancerous polyps. While the reasons remain unclear and experts aren’t telling people to stop running, they do urge endurance athletes to be vigilant about warning signs. To understand the full context, check out this report from The NYT: “Are Marathons and Extreme Running Linked to Colon Cancer?” The keyword there being “extreme.” Of course, there’s tons of evidence to suggest that most runners actually benefit from a lower risk of cancer thanks to their exercise, and for a nuanced look at the data, you can check out this brand new take on the NYT story: “What You Need to Know About the New Data Linking Marathons to Colon Cancer.” The author Alex Hutchinson notes that according to one study, as much as 600 minutes of moderate exercise a week showed no correlation with an increased risk of cancer. His takeaway is that if running does contribute, the evidence suggests it would be among those who complete ultramarathons of 50K or longer. But even among those athletes, more research is needed to draw strong conclusions. So, extreme running may or may not be a factor, but one thing scientists are a bit more certain on is the consumption of red meat according to the Cleveland Clinic: “Red Meat and Colon Cancer Risk.” High intake of red meats like beef, pork, veal, and lamb are associated with things like increased inflammation, disrupted gut health, and digestion troubles. In some cases, frequent consumption of red meat could increase the risk of colon cancer by 30%. If you’re hesitant to cut meat out of your diet because it’s your main source of iron, consider adding these “6 Fruits That Are High in Iron” instead. Dried fruits like apricots, peaches, and raisins are top on this list.

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