Resistant Starch as a Bioactive Compound in Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third cause of cancer-related mortality around the world. Since the epidemiological studies show a strong relation between colorectal incidence rates and diets, food preparation methods have received considerable attention.Resistant starch (RS) is a component of dietary starch that is not absorbed in the small intestine and reaches the colon undigested. It is a potential source of fermentable substrate for probiotics resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids. Butyrate was first suggested as an effective factor in the protection of CRC because it is a major product of fermentation in the colon and it is known as a suppressor of tumor cell proliferation. The consumption of RS not only provides an increased production of butyric acid but also causes a high fecal bulk which is a key effect to the excretion of tumor or pathogen cells. é 2016 Elsevier Inc.