{"id":164031,"date":"2026-04-17T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/watchman.news\/2026\/04\/study-reveals-this-vegetable-lowers-your-colon-cancer-risk-by-17\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T05:26:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T05:26:07","slug":"study-reveals-this-vegetable-lowers-your-colon-cancer-risk-by-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/watchman.news\/sv\/2026\/04\/study-reveals-this-vegetable-lowers-your-colon-cancer-risk-by-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Reveals This Vegetable Lowers Your Colon Cancer Risk by 17%"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"best-of-articles\">\n<div class=\"card-ba\">\n<div class=\"inner-ba\">\n<div class=\"left-ba\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"medical-heart-icon-ba\" src=\"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/assets\/images\/mercola\/bestarticles-icon.png\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"heading-ba\">A New Series of Health Insights Is on the\u00a0Way<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"right-ba\">\n<div class=\"tag-ba\">VIKTIG<\/div>\n<div class=\"copy-ba\">\n<p class=\"heading-ba\">A New Series of Health Insights Is on the\u00a0Way<\/p>\n<p class=\"description-ba\">Our team has been working behind the scenes to prepare new research and practical health strategies for our readers. While we finish preparing what\u2019s coming next, we invite you to explore one of the most-read articles from our library below. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mercola.com\/personalized-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\">See exactly what&#8217;s changing \u2192<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Colon cancer develops quietly, often without clear warning until it&#8217;s advanced. By the time symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss appear, the disease has already gained ground. This is why prevention matters so much \u2014 your daily choices influence whether your colon stays resilient or becomes vulnerable.<\/p>\n<p>Diet is one of the strongest levers you have. Unlike fixed factors such as age or family history, what you eat shapes your gut environment and determines how well your body neutralizes harmful compounds. Certain foods work like medicine, fortifying your defenses against mutations that lead to tumors.<\/p>\n<p>Among the most powerful options are cruciferous vegetables \u2014 broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. They provide compounds that interact with your cells at a deep level, supporting detoxification, protecting DNA, and strengthening your colon lining.<\/p>\n<p>Including them regularly isn&#8217;t complicated or expensive, but it gives you a measurable edge against one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. This foundation sets the stage for the latest research, which offers new insight into how these vegetables deliver their protection and what amount is most effective.<\/p>\n<div class=\"video-rwd\">\n<figure class=\"op-interactive aspect-ratio\">\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Research Shows Cruciferous Vegetables Cut Colon Cancer Risk<\/h2>\n<p>In a paper published in BMC Gastroenterology, researchers combined data from 17 studies involving 639,539 people.<sup><span data-hash=\"#ednref1\">1<\/span><\/sup> Out of these, 97,595 had colon cancer. The analysis showed that those who ate more <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2023\/04\/24\/can-broccoli-help-your-gut.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">cruciferous vegetables<\/a> had significantly lower odds of developing colon cancer. The overall reduction in risk was 17%, which is meaningful when you think about preventing a disease that kills over 900,000 people each year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"indent\">\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u2022 <\/span>The &#8220;sweet spot&#8221; was surprisingly modest \u2014<\/strong> The strongest protection occurred when people ate about 40 to 60 grams of cruciferous vegetables daily, roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli.<\/p>\n<p>Eating more than 60 grams didn&#8217;t appear to provide much additional benefit, which suggests that your body reaches a point of saturation \u2014 where the cancer-fighting compounds do their job and more isn&#8217;t necessarily better. Importantly, this threshold makes prevention achievable because it doesn&#8217;t require extreme dietary changes.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u2022 <\/span>Specific chemicals in the vegetables drive the effect \u2014<\/strong> Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, which break down into compounds such as <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2024\/11\/05\/health-benefits-of-sulforaphane.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">sulforaphane<\/a> and indole-3-carbinol when the vegetables are chopped or chewed. These compounds support your body in several ways:<\/p>\n<div class=\"indent\">\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u25e6 <\/span>Detoxification \u2014<\/strong> They activate enzymes that help your liver process and eliminate carcinogens.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u25e6 <\/span>Apoptosis \u2014<\/strong> They trigger programmed death in damaged or pre-cancerous cells.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u25e6 <\/span>Cell cycle regulation \u2014<\/strong> They slow down cell division, reducing the chance of runaway growth that leads to tumors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u2022 <\/span>The findings held up even under strict testing \u2014<\/strong> Researchers checked for errors or overestimates by running multiple sensitivity analyses, which are tests that remove one study at a time or look for outliers.<\/p>\n<p>The reduction in colon cancer risk held steady regardless of which studies were included or excluded. Even when accounting for possible publication bias \u2014 where smaller studies with positive results are more likely to be published \u2014 the protective link between cruciferous vegetables and colon cancer risk stayed strong.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u2022 <\/span>How cruciferous vegetables protect your colon at the cellular level \u2014<\/strong> Sulforaphane tells your body to make more detox enzymes. These enzymes act like janitors, sweeping out harmful substances before they damage your cells. At the same time, sulforaphane also shuts down signals that cancer cells use to stay alive and keep multiplying.<\/p>\n<p>Another compound, indole-3-carbinol, helps control which genes are active, slowing down the growth of abnormal cells. When these natural defenses work together, your colon cells are better protected from harmful changes and shielded against ongoing inflammation.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">\u2022 <\/span>Gut health ties into the protective effect \u2014<\/strong> Cruciferous vegetables also help tighten the junctions between cells lining your colon. This is important because when those junctions loosen, toxins and bacteria seep through, fueling inflammation and cancer risk. By strengthening these barriers, the compounds from cruciferous vegetables reduce harmful bacterial activity and give your beneficial gut microbes the upper hand.<\/p>\n<p>That shift in your microbiome supports overall colon health and lowers cancer risk even further. You don&#8217;t need massive amounts of these vegetables to experience benefits. Just a moderate serving of cruciferous vegetables most days of the week is enough to activate detoxification pathways, improve gut barrier strength, and reduce your colon cancer risk by double digits. By making this a consistent habit, you build a daily shield inside your body.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Simple Strategies to Strengthen Your Gut and Cut Colon Cancer Risk<\/h2>\n<p>If your goal is to lower your risk of colon cancer, you need to start with the root cause: the health of your gut and how your body produces energy. When your gut microbes are balanced and your colon lining is strong, you&#8217;re in a far better position to stop abnormal cells before they take hold. On the other hand, when your diet and environment disrupt that balance, your risk climbs fast. These steps give you clear, practical actions that help you rebuild resilience and protection \u2014 starting with your plate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"indent\">\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">1. <\/span>Cut out vegetable oils and packaged junk \u2014<\/strong> When you eat restaurant food, fried snacks, or packaged meals, you load your body with <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2023\/07\/17\/linoleic-acid.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">linoleic acid<\/a> (LA) from vegetable oils. This fat poisons your mitochondria \u2014 the engines inside your cells \u2014 and creates a gut environment that favors harmful bacteria. Swap these foods for fresh, unprocessed choices you cook yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Use stable fats like ghee, tallow, or grass fed butter, and keep LA below 5 grams per day \u2014 closer to 2 grams is even better.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">2. <\/span>Fuel your cells with the right carbs \u2014<\/strong> Your gut and mitochondria work best when they get a steady flow of glucose. For most adults, that means 250 grams of healthy carbohydrates daily, with higher amounts if you&#8217;re very active. Start simple with white rice and fruit, especially if your gut is unhealthy. This approach gives your cells the energy they need while allowing your gut bacteria to stabilize before you add more complex foods.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">3. <\/span>Introduce more fiber step by step \u2014<\/strong> Fiber feeds the good microbes in your gut, helping them produce <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2025\/12\/23\/butyrate-metabolic-powerhouse.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">butyrate<\/a>, a short-chain fatty acid that acts like fuel for your colon lining. But too much fiber too soon backfires if your gut is inflamed. Once you&#8217;ve done well with fruits and white rice, add in root vegetables, then branch out to cruciferous and other <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2025\/09\/03\/eating-more-pulses-vegetables-lowers-stress.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">vegetables<\/a>, beans, legumes, and whole grains.<\/p>\n<p>Cooked and cooled potatoes or rice are especially useful because the resistant starch they form is perfect food for butyrate-producing bacteria. By pacing your fiber intake, you allow your gut to heal and build strength without triggering irritation.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">4. <\/span>Bring in cruciferous vegetables for extra defense \u2014<\/strong> Once your gut tolerates carbs well, make cruciferous vegetables part of your regular diet. Whether you prefer roasted Brussels sprouts, lightly steamed broccoli, or sauerkraut, your choices matter and directly influence whether cancer takes hold in your colon. These foods contain compounds that help your liver clear carcinogens, repair damaged DNA, and strengthen your colon lining.<\/p>\n<p>Aim for 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli \u2014 to get the best protection. Rotate different crucifers through your meals to diversify the compounds your gut microbes have to work with. This variety keeps your microbiome healthier and gives your colon more layers of defense.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"bullet\">5. <\/span>Limit toxins, prioritize daily movement, and restore your microbiome \u2014<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2024\/01\/03\/pfas-forever-chemicals-cancer.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Environmental toxins<\/a> \u2014 from plastics, pesticides, and synthetic estrogens to constant exposure to electromagnetic fields \u2014 undermine your gut health, allowing the wrong microbes to take over. Switch to glass containers, avoid heating food in plastic, and cut down on wireless signals at home where possible.<\/p>\n<p>Movement is another tool that lowers your risk of colon cancer. Research shows that <a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2024\/12\/13\/timing-exercise-affects-colorectal-cancer-risk.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">exercising in the morning<\/a> around 8 a.m. and again in the evening around 6 p.m. reduces colorectal cancer risk by 11%, with this two-peak pattern outperforming other exercise schedules.<sup><span data-hash=\"#ednref2\">2<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2024\/08\/14\/antibiotics-increase-bowel-cancer-rates.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Antibiotics<\/a> are another disruptor, wiping out beneficial species. Use them only when truly necessary, and then rebuild your microbiome with fermented foods. Once your gut is healthy, supporting beneficial microbes like Akkermansia, which help maintain your gut lining, keeps your colon protected from cancer-triggering toxins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>FAQs About Cruciferous Vegetables and Colon Cancer<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"faq-responsive\"><strong>Q: <span class=\"questions\">How much cruciferous vegetables do I need to eat to lower my colon cancer risk?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>Research shows the strongest protection comes from eating about 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli. Eating more than this doesn&#8217;t seem to add much benefit, but keeping this amount in your daily diet reduces your colon cancer risk by about 17%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"faq-responsive\"><strong>Q: <span class=\"questions\">What makes cruciferous vegetables protective against colon cancer?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>These vegetables contain compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Once you chew or chop the vegetables, these compounds activate processes in your body that detoxify carcinogens, trigger cancer cell death, slow down abnormal growth, and strengthen the lining of your colon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"faq-responsive\"><strong>Q: <span class=\"questions\">Do cruciferous vegetables also help with gut health?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>Yes. They help tighten the junctions between cells in your colon lining, reducing the chance of toxins and bacteria leaking through. This shift gives your beneficial microbes the advantage, lowers inflammation, and supports a healthier gut microbiome overall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"faq-responsive\"><strong>Q: <span class=\"questions\">Besides eating cruciferous vegetables, what other steps protect against colon cancer?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>Practical steps include cutting out vegetable oils and packaged junk foods, eating enough healthy carbs, introducing fiber gradually, and reducing exposure to toxins like plastics and pesticides. Daily movement also helps \u2014 research shows exercising around 8 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. lowers colorectal cancer risk by 11%.<sup><span data-hash=\"#ednref3\">3<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"faq-responsive\"><strong>Q: <span class=\"questions\">Why is prevention so important with colon cancer?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A: <\/strong>Colon cancer often develops silently until it&#8217;s advanced, when treatment is harder and survival rates are lower. Prevention gives you control: the foods you eat, your activity level, and your environment directly influence whether harmful changes take hold in your colon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A New Series of Health Insights Is on the\u00a0Way<\/p>\n<p>VIKTIG<\/p>\n<p>A New Series of Health Insights Is on the\u00a0Way<br \/>\nOur team has been working behind the scenes to prepare new research and practical health strategies for our readers. While we finish preparing what\u2019s coming next, we invite you to explore one of the most-read articles from our library below. See exactly what&#8217;s changing \u2192<\/p>\n<p>Colon cancer develops quietly, often without clear warning until it&#8217;s advanced. By the time symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss appear, the disease has already gained ground. This is why prevention matters so much \u2014 your daily choices influence whether your colon stays resilient or becomes vulnerable.<\/p>\n<p>Diet is one of the strongest levers you have. Unlike fixed factors such as age or family history, what you eat shapes your gut environment and determines how well your body neutralizes harmful compounds. Certain foods work like medicine, fortifying your defenses against mutations that lead to tumors.<\/p>\n<p>Among the most powerful options are cruciferous vegetables \u2014 broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. They provide compounds that interact with your cells at a deep level, supporting detoxification, protecting DNA, and strengthening your colon lining.<\/p>\n<p>Including them regularly isn&#8217;t complicated or expensive, but it gives you a measurable edge against one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. This foundation sets the stage for the latest research, which offers new insight into how these vegetables deliver their protection and what amount is most effective.<\/p>\n<p>Research Shows Cruciferous Vegetables Cut Colon Cancer Risk<\/p>\n<p>In a paper published in BMC Gastroenterology, researchers combined data from 17 studies involving 639,539 people.1 Out of these, 97,595 had colon cancer. The analysis showed that those who ate more cruciferous vegetables had significantly lower odds of developing colon cancer. The overall reduction in risk was 17%, which is meaningful when you think about preventing a disease that kills over 900,000 people each year.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 The &#8220;sweet spot&#8221; was surprisingly modest \u2014 The strongest protection occurred when people ate about 40 to 60 grams of cruciferous vegetables daily, roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli.<\/p>\n<p>Eating more than 60 grams didn&#8217;t appear to provide much additional benefit, which suggests that your body reaches a point of saturation \u2014 where the cancer-fighting compounds do their job and more isn&#8217;t necessarily better. Importantly, this threshold makes prevention achievable because it doesn&#8217;t require extreme dietary changes.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Specific chemicals in the vegetables drive the effect \u2014 Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, which break down into compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol when the vegetables are chopped or chewed. These compounds support your body in several ways:<\/p>\n<p>\u25e6 Detoxification \u2014 They activate enzymes that help your liver process and eliminate carcinogens.<br \/>\n\u25e6 Apoptosis \u2014 They trigger programmed death in damaged or pre-cancerous cells.<br \/>\n\u25e6 Cell cycle regulation \u2014 They slow down cell division, reducing the chance of runaway growth that leads to tumors.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 The findings held up even under strict testing \u2014 Researchers checked for errors or overestimates by running multiple sensitivity analyses, which are tests that remove one study at a time or look for outliers.<\/p>\n<p>The reduction in colon cancer risk held steady regardless of which studies were included or excluded. Even when accounting for possible publication bias \u2014 where smaller studies with positive results are more likely to be published \u2014 the protective link between cruciferous vegetables and colon cancer risk stayed strong.\t<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 How cruciferous vegetables protect your colon at the cellular level \u2014 Sulforaphane tells your body to make more detox enzymes. These enzymes act like janitors, sweeping out harmful substances before they damage your cells. At the same time, sulforaphane also shuts down signals that cancer cells use to stay alive and keep multiplying.<\/p>\n<p>Another compound, indole-3-carbinol, helps control which genes are active, slowing down the growth of abnormal cells. When these natural defenses work together, your colon cells are better protected from harmful changes and shielded against ongoing inflammation.\t<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Gut health ties into the protective effect \u2014 Cruciferous vegetables also help tighten the junctions between cells lining your colon. This is important because when those junctions loosen, toxins and bacteria seep through, fueling inflammation and cancer risk. By strengthening these barriers, the compounds from cruciferous vegetables reduce harmful bacterial activity and give your beneficial gut microbes the upper hand.<\/p>\n<p>That shift in your microbiome supports overall colon health and lowers cancer risk even further. You don&#8217;t need massive amounts of these vegetables to experience benefits. Just a moderate serving of cruciferous vegetables most days of the week is enough to activate detoxification pathways, improve gut barrier strength, and reduce your colon cancer risk by double digits. By making this a consistent habit, you build a daily shield inside your body.<\/p>\n<p>Simple Strategies to Strengthen Your Gut and Cut Colon Cancer Risk<\/p>\n<p>If your goal is to lower your risk of colon cancer, you need to start with the root cause: the health of your gut and how your body produces energy. When your gut microbes are balanced and your colon lining is strong, you&#8217;re in a far better position to stop abnormal cells before they take hold. On the other hand, when your diet and environment disrupt that balance, your risk climbs fast. These steps give you clear, practical actions that help you rebuild resilience and protection \u2014 starting with your plate.<\/p>\n<p>1. Cut out vegetable oils and packaged junk \u2014 When you eat restaurant food, fried snacks, or packaged meals, you load your body with linoleic acid (LA) from vegetable oils. This fat poisons your mitochondria \u2014 the engines inside your cells \u2014 and creates a gut environment that favors harmful bacteria. Swap these foods for fresh, unprocessed choices you cook yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Use stable fats like ghee, tallow, or grass fed butter, and keep LA below 5 grams per day \u2014 closer to 2 grams is even better.<\/p>\n<p>2. Fuel your cells with the right carbs \u2014 Your gut and mitochondria work best when they get a steady flow of glucose. For most adults, that means 250 grams of healthy carbohydrates daily, with higher amounts if you&#8217;re very active. Start simple with white rice and fruit, especially if your gut is unhealthy. This approach gives your cells the energy they need while allowing your gut bacteria to stabilize before you add more complex foods.<\/p>\n<p>3. Introduce more fiber step by step \u2014 Fiber feeds the good microbes in your gut, helping them produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that acts like fuel for your colon lining. But too much fiber too soon backfires if your gut is inflamed. Once you&#8217;ve done well with fruits and white rice, add in root vegetables, then branch out to cruciferous and other vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains.<\/p>\n<p>Cooked and cooled potatoes or rice are especially useful because the resistant starch they form is perfect food for butyrate-producing bacteria. By pacing your fiber intake, you allow your gut to heal and build strength without triggering irritation.<\/p>\n<p>4. Bring in cruciferous vegetables for extra defense \u2014 Once your gut tolerates carbs well, make cruciferous vegetables part of your regular diet. Whether you prefer roasted Brussels sprouts, lightly steamed broccoli, or sauerkraut, your choices matter and directly influence whether cancer takes hold in your colon. These foods contain compounds that help your liver clear carcinogens, repair damaged DNA, and strengthen your colon lining.<\/p>\n<p>Aim for 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli \u2014 to get the best protection. Rotate different crucifers through your meals to diversify the compounds your gut microbes have to work with. This variety keeps your microbiome healthier and gives your colon more layers of defense.<\/p>\n<p>5. Limit toxins, prioritize daily movement, and restore your microbiome \u2014 Environmental toxins \u2014 from plastics, pesticides, and synthetic estrogens to constant exposure to electromagnetic fields \u2014 undermine your gut health, allowing the wrong microbes to take over. Switch to glass containers, avoid heating food in plastic, and cut down on wireless signals at home where possible.<\/p>\n<p>Movement is another tool that lowers your risk of colon cancer. Research shows that exercising in the morning around 8 a.m. and again in the evening around 6 p.m. reduces colorectal cancer risk by 11%, with this two-peak pattern outperforming other exercise schedules.2<\/p>\n<p>Antibiotics are another disruptor, wiping out beneficial species. Use them only when truly necessary, and then rebuild your microbiome with fermented foods. Once your gut is healthy, supporting beneficial microbes like Akkermansia, which help maintain your gut lining, keeps your colon protected from cancer-triggering toxins.<\/p>\n<p>FAQs About Cruciferous Vegetables and Colon Cancer<\/p>\n<p>Q: How much cruciferous vegetables do I need to eat to lower my colon cancer risk?<br \/>\nA: Research shows the strongest protection comes from eating about 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli. Eating more than this doesn&#8217;t seem to add much benefit, but keeping this amount in your daily diet reduces your colon cancer risk by about 17%.<\/p>\n<p>Q: What makes cruciferous vegetables protective against colon cancer?<br \/>\nA: These vegetables contain compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Once you chew or chop the vegetables, these compounds activate processes in your body that detoxify carcinogens, trigger cancer cell death, slow down abnormal growth, and strengthen the lining of your colon.<\/p>\n<p>Q: Do cruciferous vegetables also help with gut health?<br \/>\nA: Yes. They help tighten the junctions between cells in your colon lining, reducing the chance of toxins and bacteria leaking through. This shift gives your beneficial microbes the advantage, lowers inflammation, and supports a healthier gut microbiome overall.<\/p>\n<p>Q: Besides eating cruciferous vegetables, what other steps protect against colon cancer?<br \/>\nA: Practical steps include cutting out vegetable oils and packaged junk foods, eating enough healthy carbs, introducing fiber gradually, and reducing exposure to toxins like plastics and pesticides. Daily movement also helps \u2014 research shows exercising around 8 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. lowers colorectal cancer risk by 11%.3<\/p>\n<p>Q: Why is prevention so important with colon cancer?<br \/>\nA: Colon cancer often develops silently until it&#8217;s advanced, when treatment is harder and survival rates are lower. Prevention gives you control: the foods you eat, your activity level, and your environment directly influence whether harmful changes take hold in your colon.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"seo_booster_metabox":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3562,3892],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-164031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-baptism-confirmation","category-dr-mercola-daily-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Study Reveals This Vegetable Lowers Your Colon Cancer Risk by 17% - Watchman News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2026\/04\/17\/cruciferous-vegetables-colon-cancer-prevention.aspx\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"sv_SE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Study Reveals This Vegetable Lowers Your Colon Cancer Risk by 17% - Watchman News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A New Series of Health Insights Is on the\u00a0Way   IMPORTANT  A New Series of Health Insights Is on the\u00a0Way Our team has been working behind the scenes to prepare new research and practical health strategies for our readers. While we finish preparing what\u2019s coming next, we invite you to explore one of the most-read articles from our library below. See exactly what&#039;s changing \u2192            Colon cancer develops quietly, often without clear warning until it&#039;s advanced. By the time symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss appear, the disease has already gained ground. This is why prevention matters so much \u2014 your daily choices influence whether your colon stays resilient or becomes vulnerable.  Diet is one of the strongest levers you have. Unlike fixed factors such as age or family history, what you eat shapes your gut environment and determines how well your body neutralizes harmful compounds. Certain foods work like medicine, fortifying your defenses against mutations that lead to tumors.  Among the most powerful options are cruciferous vegetables \u2014 broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. They provide compounds that interact with your cells at a deep level, supporting detoxification, protecting DNA, and strengthening your colon lining.  Including them regularly isn&#039;t complicated or expensive, but it gives you a measurable edge against one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. This foundation sets the stage for the latest research, which offers new insight into how these vegetables deliver their protection and what amount is most effective.         Research Shows Cruciferous Vegetables Cut Colon Cancer Risk  In a paper published in BMC Gastroenterology, researchers combined data from 17 studies involving 639,539 people.1 Out of these, 97,595 had colon cancer. The analysis showed that those who ate more cruciferous vegetables had significantly lower odds of developing colon cancer. The overall reduction in risk was 17%, which is meaningful when you think about preventing a disease that kills over 900,000 people each year.   \u2022 The &quot;sweet spot&quot; was surprisingly modest \u2014 The strongest protection occurred when people ate about 40 to 60 grams of cruciferous vegetables daily, roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli.  Eating more than 60 grams didn&#039;t appear to provide much additional benefit, which suggests that your body reaches a point of saturation \u2014 where the cancer-fighting compounds do their job and more isn&#039;t necessarily better. Importantly, this threshold makes prevention achievable because it doesn&#039;t require extreme dietary changes.  \u2022 Specific chemicals in the vegetables drive the effect \u2014 Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, which break down into compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol when the vegetables are chopped or chewed. These compounds support your body in several ways:     \u25e6 Detoxification \u2014 They activate enzymes that help your liver process and eliminate carcinogens. \u25e6 Apoptosis \u2014 They trigger programmed death in damaged or pre-cancerous cells. \u25e6 Cell cycle regulation \u2014 They slow down cell division, reducing the chance of runaway growth that leads to tumors.     \u2022 The findings held up even under strict testing \u2014 Researchers checked for errors or overestimates by running multiple sensitivity analyses, which are tests that remove one study at a time or look for outliers.   The reduction in colon cancer risk held steady regardless of which studies were included or excluded. Even when accounting for possible publication bias \u2014 where smaller studies with positive results are more likely to be published \u2014 the protective link between cruciferous vegetables and colon cancer risk stayed strong.   \u2022 How cruciferous vegetables protect your colon at the cellular level \u2014 Sulforaphane tells your body to make more detox enzymes. These enzymes act like janitors, sweeping out harmful substances before they damage your cells. At the same time, sulforaphane also shuts down signals that cancer cells use to stay alive and keep multiplying.   Another compound, indole-3-carbinol, helps control which genes are active, slowing down the growth of abnormal cells. When these natural defenses work together, your colon cells are better protected from harmful changes and shielded against ongoing inflammation.   \u2022 Gut health ties into the protective effect \u2014 Cruciferous vegetables also help tighten the junctions between cells lining your colon. This is important because when those junctions loosen, toxins and bacteria seep through, fueling inflammation and cancer risk. By strengthening these barriers, the compounds from cruciferous vegetables reduce harmful bacterial activity and give your beneficial gut microbes the upper hand.  That shift in your microbiome supports overall colon health and lowers cancer risk even further. You don&#039;t need massive amounts of these vegetables to experience benefits. Just a moderate serving of cruciferous vegetables most days of the week is enough to activate detoxification pathways, improve gut barrier strength, and reduce your colon cancer risk by double digits. By making this a consistent habit, you build a daily shield inside your body.   Simple Strategies to Strengthen Your Gut and Cut Colon Cancer Risk  If your goal is to lower your risk of colon cancer, you need to start with the root cause: the health of your gut and how your body produces energy. When your gut microbes are balanced and your colon lining is strong, you&#039;re in a far better position to stop abnormal cells before they take hold. On the other hand, when your diet and environment disrupt that balance, your risk climbs fast. These steps give you clear, practical actions that help you rebuild resilience and protection \u2014 starting with your plate.   1. Cut out vegetable oils and packaged junk \u2014 When you eat restaurant food, fried snacks, or packaged meals, you load your body with linoleic acid (LA) from vegetable oils. This fat poisons your mitochondria \u2014 the engines inside your cells \u2014 and creates a gut environment that favors harmful bacteria. Swap these foods for fresh, unprocessed choices you cook yourself.  Use stable fats like ghee, tallow, or grass fed butter, and keep LA below 5 grams per day \u2014 closer to 2 grams is even better.  2. Fuel your cells with the right carbs \u2014 Your gut and mitochondria work best when they get a steady flow of glucose. For most adults, that means 250 grams of healthy carbohydrates daily, with higher amounts if you&#039;re very active. Start simple with white rice and fruit, especially if your gut is unhealthy. This approach gives your cells the energy they need while allowing your gut bacteria to stabilize before you add more complex foods.  3. Introduce more fiber step by step \u2014 Fiber feeds the good microbes in your gut, helping them produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that acts like fuel for your colon lining. But too much fiber too soon backfires if your gut is inflamed. Once you&#039;ve done well with fruits and white rice, add in root vegetables, then branch out to cruciferous and other vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains.  Cooked and cooled potatoes or rice are especially useful because the resistant starch they form is perfect food for butyrate-producing bacteria. By pacing your fiber intake, you allow your gut to heal and build strength without triggering irritation.  4. Bring in cruciferous vegetables for extra defense \u2014 Once your gut tolerates carbs well, make cruciferous vegetables part of your regular diet. Whether you prefer roasted Brussels sprouts, lightly steamed broccoli, or sauerkraut, your choices matter and directly influence whether cancer takes hold in your colon. These foods contain compounds that help your liver clear carcinogens, repair damaged DNA, and strengthen your colon lining.  Aim for 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli \u2014 to get the best protection. Rotate different crucifers through your meals to diversify the compounds your gut microbes have to work with. This variety keeps your microbiome healthier and gives your colon more layers of defense.  5. Limit toxins, prioritize daily movement, and restore your microbiome \u2014 Environmental toxins \u2014 from plastics, pesticides, and synthetic estrogens to constant exposure to electromagnetic fields \u2014 undermine your gut health, allowing the wrong microbes to take over. Switch to glass containers, avoid heating food in plastic, and cut down on wireless signals at home where possible.  Movement is another tool that lowers your risk of colon cancer. Research shows that exercising in the morning around 8 a.m. and again in the evening around 6 p.m. reduces colorectal cancer risk by 11%, with this two-peak pattern outperforming other exercise schedules.2  Antibiotics are another disruptor, wiping out beneficial species. Use them only when truly necessary, and then rebuild your microbiome with fermented foods. Once your gut is healthy, supporting beneficial microbes like Akkermansia, which help maintain your gut lining, keeps your colon protected from cancer-triggering toxins.   FAQs About Cruciferous Vegetables and Colon Cancer   Q: How much cruciferous vegetables do I need to eat to lower my colon cancer risk? A: Research shows the strongest protection comes from eating about 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli. Eating more than this doesn&#039;t seem to add much benefit, but keeping this amount in your daily diet reduces your colon cancer risk by about 17%.   Q: What makes cruciferous vegetables protective against colon cancer? A: These vegetables contain compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Once you chew or chop the vegetables, these compounds activate processes in your body that detoxify carcinogens, trigger cancer cell death, slow down abnormal growth, and strengthen the lining of your colon.   Q: Do cruciferous vegetables also help with gut health? A: Yes. They help tighten the junctions between cells in your colon lining, reducing the chance of toxins and bacteria leaking through. This shift gives your beneficial microbes the advantage, lowers inflammation, and supports a healthier gut microbiome overall.   Q: Besides eating cruciferous vegetables, what other steps protect against colon cancer? A: Practical steps include cutting out vegetable oils and packaged junk foods, eating enough healthy carbs, introducing fiber gradually, and reducing exposure to toxins like plastics and pesticides. Daily movement also helps \u2014 research shows exercising around 8 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. lowers colorectal cancer risk by 11%.3   Q: Why is prevention so important with colon cancer? A: Colon cancer often develops silently until it&#039;s advanced, when treatment is harder and survival rates are lower. Prevention gives you control: the foods you eat, your activity level, and your environment directly influence whether harmful changes take hold in your colon.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2026\/04\/17\/cruciferous-vegetables-colon-cancer-prevention.aspx\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Watchman News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-17T00:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-17T05:26:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/assets\/images\/mercola\/bestarticles-icon.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Skriven av\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Ber\u00e4knad l\u00e4stid\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minuter\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2026\/04\/17\/cruciferous-vegetables-colon-cancer-prevention.aspx#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/watchman.news\/2026\/04\/study-reveals-this-vegetable-lowers-your-colon-cancer-risk-by-17\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/watchman.news\/#\/schema\/person\/3f4506c6002f5893ba45478a4540739f\"},\"headline\":\"Study Reveals This Vegetable Lowers Your Colon Cancer Risk by 17%\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-17T00:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-17T05:26:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/watchman.news\/2026\/04\/study-reveals-this-vegetable-lowers-your-colon-cancer-risk-by-17\/\"},\"wordCount\":1681,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2026\/04\/17\/cruciferous-vegetables-colon-cancer-prevention.aspx#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/assets\/images\/mercola\/bestarticles-icon.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Baptism &amp; 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While we finish preparing what\u2019s coming next, we invite you to explore one of the most-read articles from our library below. See exactly what's changing \u2192            Colon cancer develops quietly, often without clear warning until it's advanced. By the time symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss appear, the disease has already gained ground. This is why prevention matters so much \u2014 your daily choices influence whether your colon stays resilient or becomes vulnerable.  Diet is one of the strongest levers you have. Unlike fixed factors such as age or family history, what you eat shapes your gut environment and determines how well your body neutralizes harmful compounds. Certain foods work like medicine, fortifying your defenses against mutations that lead to tumors.  Among the most powerful options are cruciferous vegetables \u2014 broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. They provide compounds that interact with your cells at a deep level, supporting detoxification, protecting DNA, and strengthening your colon lining.  Including them regularly isn't complicated or expensive, but it gives you a measurable edge against one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. This foundation sets the stage for the latest research, which offers new insight into how these vegetables deliver their protection and what amount is most effective.         Research Shows Cruciferous Vegetables Cut Colon Cancer Risk  In a paper published in BMC Gastroenterology, researchers combined data from 17 studies involving 639,539 people.1 Out of these, 97,595 had colon cancer. The analysis showed that those who ate more cruciferous vegetables had significantly lower odds of developing colon cancer. The overall reduction in risk was 17%, which is meaningful when you think about preventing a disease that kills over 900,000 people each year.   \u2022 The \"sweet spot\" was surprisingly modest \u2014 The strongest protection occurred when people ate about 40 to 60 grams of cruciferous vegetables daily, roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli.  Eating more than 60 grams didn't appear to provide much additional benefit, which suggests that your body reaches a point of saturation \u2014 where the cancer-fighting compounds do their job and more isn't necessarily better. Importantly, this threshold makes prevention achievable because it doesn't require extreme dietary changes.  \u2022 Specific chemicals in the vegetables drive the effect \u2014 Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, which break down into compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol when the vegetables are chopped or chewed. These compounds support your body in several ways:     \u25e6 Detoxification \u2014 They activate enzymes that help your liver process and eliminate carcinogens. \u25e6 Apoptosis \u2014 They trigger programmed death in damaged or pre-cancerous cells. \u25e6 Cell cycle regulation \u2014 They slow down cell division, reducing the chance of runaway growth that leads to tumors.     \u2022 The findings held up even under strict testing \u2014 Researchers checked for errors or overestimates by running multiple sensitivity analyses, which are tests that remove one study at a time or look for outliers.   The reduction in colon cancer risk held steady regardless of which studies were included or excluded. Even when accounting for possible publication bias \u2014 where smaller studies with positive results are more likely to be published \u2014 the protective link between cruciferous vegetables and colon cancer risk stayed strong.   \u2022 How cruciferous vegetables protect your colon at the cellular level \u2014 Sulforaphane tells your body to make more detox enzymes. These enzymes act like janitors, sweeping out harmful substances before they damage your cells. At the same time, sulforaphane also shuts down signals that cancer cells use to stay alive and keep multiplying.   Another compound, indole-3-carbinol, helps control which genes are active, slowing down the growth of abnormal cells. When these natural defenses work together, your colon cells are better protected from harmful changes and shielded against ongoing inflammation.   \u2022 Gut health ties into the protective effect \u2014 Cruciferous vegetables also help tighten the junctions between cells lining your colon. This is important because when those junctions loosen, toxins and bacteria seep through, fueling inflammation and cancer risk. By strengthening these barriers, the compounds from cruciferous vegetables reduce harmful bacterial activity and give your beneficial gut microbes the upper hand.  That shift in your microbiome supports overall colon health and lowers cancer risk even further. You don't need massive amounts of these vegetables to experience benefits. Just a moderate serving of cruciferous vegetables most days of the week is enough to activate detoxification pathways, improve gut barrier strength, and reduce your colon cancer risk by double digits. By making this a consistent habit, you build a daily shield inside your body.   Simple Strategies to Strengthen Your Gut and Cut Colon Cancer Risk  If your goal is to lower your risk of colon cancer, you need to start with the root cause: the health of your gut and how your body produces energy. When your gut microbes are balanced and your colon lining is strong, you're in a far better position to stop abnormal cells before they take hold. On the other hand, when your diet and environment disrupt that balance, your risk climbs fast. These steps give you clear, practical actions that help you rebuild resilience and protection \u2014 starting with your plate.   1. Cut out vegetable oils and packaged junk \u2014 When you eat restaurant food, fried snacks, or packaged meals, you load your body with linoleic acid (LA) from vegetable oils. This fat poisons your mitochondria \u2014 the engines inside your cells \u2014 and creates a gut environment that favors harmful bacteria. Swap these foods for fresh, unprocessed choices you cook yourself.  Use stable fats like ghee, tallow, or grass fed butter, and keep LA below 5 grams per day \u2014 closer to 2 grams is even better.  2. Fuel your cells with the right carbs \u2014 Your gut and mitochondria work best when they get a steady flow of glucose. For most adults, that means 250 grams of healthy carbohydrates daily, with higher amounts if you're very active. Start simple with white rice and fruit, especially if your gut is unhealthy. This approach gives your cells the energy they need while allowing your gut bacteria to stabilize before you add more complex foods.  3. Introduce more fiber step by step \u2014 Fiber feeds the good microbes in your gut, helping them produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that acts like fuel for your colon lining. But too much fiber too soon backfires if your gut is inflamed. Once you've done well with fruits and white rice, add in root vegetables, then branch out to cruciferous and other vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains.  Cooked and cooled potatoes or rice are especially useful because the resistant starch they form is perfect food for butyrate-producing bacteria. By pacing your fiber intake, you allow your gut to heal and build strength without triggering irritation.  4. Bring in cruciferous vegetables for extra defense \u2014 Once your gut tolerates carbs well, make cruciferous vegetables part of your regular diet. Whether you prefer roasted Brussels sprouts, lightly steamed broccoli, or sauerkraut, your choices matter and directly influence whether cancer takes hold in your colon. These foods contain compounds that help your liver clear carcinogens, repair damaged DNA, and strengthen your colon lining.  Aim for 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli \u2014 to get the best protection. Rotate different crucifers through your meals to diversify the compounds your gut microbes have to work with. This variety keeps your microbiome healthier and gives your colon more layers of defense.  5. Limit toxins, prioritize daily movement, and restore your microbiome \u2014 Environmental toxins \u2014 from plastics, pesticides, and synthetic estrogens to constant exposure to electromagnetic fields \u2014 undermine your gut health, allowing the wrong microbes to take over. Switch to glass containers, avoid heating food in plastic, and cut down on wireless signals at home where possible.  Movement is another tool that lowers your risk of colon cancer. Research shows that exercising in the morning around 8 a.m. and again in the evening around 6 p.m. reduces colorectal cancer risk by 11%, with this two-peak pattern outperforming other exercise schedules.2  Antibiotics are another disruptor, wiping out beneficial species. Use them only when truly necessary, and then rebuild your microbiome with fermented foods. Once your gut is healthy, supporting beneficial microbes like Akkermansia, which help maintain your gut lining, keeps your colon protected from cancer-triggering toxins.   FAQs About Cruciferous Vegetables and Colon Cancer   Q: How much cruciferous vegetables do I need to eat to lower my colon cancer risk? A: Research shows the strongest protection comes from eating about 40 to 60 grams a day \u2014 roughly half a cup of cooked broccoli. Eating more than this doesn't seem to add much benefit, but keeping this amount in your daily diet reduces your colon cancer risk by about 17%.   Q: What makes cruciferous vegetables protective against colon cancer? A: These vegetables contain compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Once you chew or chop the vegetables, these compounds activate processes in your body that detoxify carcinogens, trigger cancer cell death, slow down abnormal growth, and strengthen the lining of your colon.   Q: Do cruciferous vegetables also help with gut health? A: Yes. They help tighten the junctions between cells in your colon lining, reducing the chance of toxins and bacteria leaking through. This shift gives your beneficial microbes the advantage, lowers inflammation, and supports a healthier gut microbiome overall.   Q: Besides eating cruciferous vegetables, what other steps protect against colon cancer? A: Practical steps include cutting out vegetable oils and packaged junk foods, eating enough healthy carbs, introducing fiber gradually, and reducing exposure to toxins like plastics and pesticides. Daily movement also helps \u2014 research shows exercising around 8 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. lowers colorectal cancer risk by 11%.3   Q: Why is prevention so important with colon cancer? A: Colon cancer often develops silently until it's advanced, when treatment is harder and survival rates are lower. Prevention gives you control: the foods you eat, your activity level, and your environment directly influence whether harmful changes take hold in your colon.","og_url":"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2026\/04\/17\/cruciferous-vegetables-colon-cancer-prevention.aspx","og_site_name":"Watchman News","article_published_time":"2026-04-17T00:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-17T05:26:07+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/assets\/images\/mercola\/bestarticles-icon.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Skriven av":"Admin","Ber\u00e4knad l\u00e4stid":"8 minuter"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2026\/04\/17\/cruciferous-vegetables-colon-cancer-prevention.aspx#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/watchman.news\/2026\/04\/study-reveals-this-vegetable-lowers-your-colon-cancer-risk-by-17\/"},"author":{"name":"Admin","@id":"https:\/\/watchman.news\/#\/schema\/person\/3f4506c6002f5893ba45478a4540739f"},"headline":"Study Reveals This Vegetable Lowers Your Colon Cancer Risk by 17%","datePublished":"2026-04-17T00:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-17T05:26:07+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/watchman.news\/2026\/04\/study-reveals-this-vegetable-lowers-your-colon-cancer-risk-by-17\/"},"wordCount":1681,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2026\/04\/17\/cruciferous-vegetables-colon-cancer-prevention.aspx#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/assets\/images\/mercola\/bestarticles-icon.png","articleSection":["Baptism &amp; 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