Dietary fiber has emerged as a preventive and adjuvant therapy for patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) because it possesses chemoprotective and direct anticancer properties, including the ability to modulate multiple cellular and molecular targets implicated in tumor cell survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation. This review summarizes the latest epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical research on dietary fiber as a preventive and adjuvant therapy for CRC patients, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the bioactive compounds present in or produced by fiber metabolism. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed using a Boolean search strategy to identify relevant studies on the association between dietary fiber and CRC. Studies unrelated to dietary fiber or CRC, non-peer-reviewed materials, and articles with insufficient methodological details were excluded to maintain the focus and quality of the review. An overall body of epidemiological evidence suggests that the consumption of foods rich in dietary fiber or whole grains is associated with a reduced risk of CRC. Preclinical studies conducted in vitro and in animal models strongly support the hypothesis that dietary fiber is effective in preventing and treating CRC and provide mechanistic insights, indicating that diverse types of fiber, such as β-glucan, resistant starch, pectin, and arabinoxylan, have distinct but complementary effects. However, the findings of the clinical trials are inconclusive. This disconnect may stem from the differences in methodologies, fiber types, dosages, intervention durations, and endpoints across studies. According to the current evidence, dietary fiber appears to have a protective effect against the development of CRC. However, more targeted and prospectively planned RCTs using standardized dosages, formulations and combinations of dietary fiber are needed to provide additional evidence in favor of the recommendation of a high-fiber diet for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of CRC.

To investigate food poisoning knowledge, risk perception and safe food handling practices among Saudi Arabian public following foodborne botulism outbreak. A cross-sectional survey targeting the Saudi Arabian public between May 6 to 20, 2024, following the first foodborne botulism outbreak. Infectious disease and public health experts developed survey questions according to Saudi Public Health Authority and Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines, and distributed surveys through social media. Of 3779 participants, 73.1% were female and 50.1% were aged 18 to 24 years. Almost one-third (30.2%) reported a previous food poisoning experience, with an incidence of 71.7 cases per 1000 person years. The most common perceived source of FP was restaurants foods (80.3%). The overall knowledge score of the participants regarding food poisoning was 3.42 ± 1.57 out of 7. The mean food safety practice score was 3.70 ± 1.42 out of 9. Multivariable regression analysis showed individuals aged 35 years or older (β = 0.205, P < .001), those who were married (β = 0.204, P = .003), participants with previous (FP) experience (β = 0.089, P = .009), and those who relied on information from the Ministry of Health or medical publications regarding FP (P < .001) exhibited significantly higher practice scores than other groups. The least adherence to safe practices were noted among the following: routine use of thermometer during cooking (2.7%), avoidance of washing raw chicken (13.7%) and washing hands after using cellphone during cooking (26.1%). The FP knowledge score did not correlate significantly with practice score (P = .065). This study highlights the significant knowledge gaps and inadequate food safety practices among the public in Saudi Arabia. Although certain groups, including adults (>35 years), married individuals, and those with previous food poisoning experience, showed greater adherence to safe food handling practices, adherence to specific preventive measures remained generally low. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives and interventions to improve food safety awareness and practices across diverse demographic groups in Saudi Arabia. The integration of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, as a public resource for food poisoning information, presents a new opportunity, but it requires further research and development to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Background: Microplastics (MPs) and the endocrine‐disrupting chemicals associated with them, including bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, have been identified as potential factors contributing to the increasing rates of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and colorectal carcinogenesis. Despite rising concerns in this area, a thorough synthesis of the mechanistic and epidemiological data connecting MPs to these health issues is currently absent. For consistency in this review, early‐onset colorectal cancer is defined as colorectal cancer diagnosed before the age of 50 years, in line with recent epidemiological studies. Chronic exposure to MPs is defined as sustained exposure lasting at least 8 weeks in animal models or multiple years in human observational studies. These standardized definitions ensure clarity when comparing outcomes across diverse study designs. Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate current human, animal, and in vitro evidence on the dual impact of MP exposure on metabolic dysregulation and pathways involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. Methods: A systematic search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review incorporated 45 studies: 18 observational studies involving humans, 17 animal studies, and 10 in vitro investigations. The outcomes analyzed included components of MetS, precursors to colonic neoplasia, and relevant biological mechanisms. Results: Exposure to MPs correlated with an increased risk of insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia. It also contributed to heightened inflammatory responses, alterations in gut microbiota composition, and dysfunction of the epithelial barrier. Furthermore, chronic exposure led to colonic inflammation and an elevation in tumorigenic markers, such as β‐catenin (a key oncogenic protein in the Wnt signaling pathway) and COX‐2 (an inflammatory enzyme implicated in tumor progression). Conclusion: The results indicate a biologically plausible connection between MP exposure and the development of both MetS and colorectal carcinogenesis pathways, rather than a direct clinical association with early‐onset colorectal cancer.