According to researchers, individuals who consume pulses such as brown rice, kidney beans and lentils a minimum of three time a week could reduce their risk of developing polyps, small growths in the lining of the bowel which can become cancerous.

The study, which was conducted by scientists from Loma Linda University in California collected data from a 25 year old study in which 3,000 individuals were questioned about how often they ate certain foods.

Participants were then asked to complete a follow-up survey which asked them whether they had developed polyps, a sixth of them had.

Those in the study who ate the highest amounts of pulses were less likely to have developed polyps, with individuals who ate brown rice just once a week cutting their risk by two fifths.

Author of the study Dr Yessenia Tantamango has said that it may be the high fibre content of the foods which help them to prevent the development of polyps.

‘Additionally, cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, contain detoxifying compounds, which would improve their protective function. Eating these foods is likely to decrease your risk for colon polyps, which would in turn decrease your risk for colorectal cancer.’ She added.

View the original Daily Mail article.