A new study suggests that taking folate supplements can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in humans. The study revealed that a diet low in folate increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer in mice. The researchers fed mice on a diet low in folate or a control diet with sufficient folate to see how folate affects the risk of colorectal cancer.

"None of the mice fed a control diet developed tumours whereas 1 in 4 mice on the folate-deficient diet developed at least one tumour." says Dr. Rima Rozen, Scientific Director of the Montreal Children's Hospital, Deputy Scientific Director of the McGill University Health Centre, and lead investigator in the study.

It was found that low intake of folate affects genes which help repair DNA damage thus raising the risk of the development of tumours. Earlier studies by Dr. Rozen's team and other researchers also suggest that intake folate-rich diet helps prevent diseases such as heart disease too.

Folate, added into processed foods help prevent birth defects such as Spina Birfida. Folate - rich diet should include vegetables including cowpeas, spinach, asparagus, vegetarian baked beans, green peas, broccoli, avocado, peanuts, wheat germ, tomato juice, turnip greens, orange, cantaloupe, papaya and banana.

20,000 cases of colorectal cancer have been reported in Canada and 8,500 deaths from the disease are expected every year, according to a news release by McGill University. In US it is 140,000 cases and 55,000 deaths , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 34,900 cases and 16,000 deaths in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK.