A high school “chicken diet” may reduce the risk of a precancerous condition that can develop into colon cancer, a new study shows. The study involved nearly 20,000 women between the ages of 34 and 51, and the division went specifically to those who did not eat a lot of chicken in their teens and those who ate a lot of chicken in their teens. Women answered questions about their nutrition in high school. As turned out , they had a lower risk of developing colorectal adenomas, which are benign tumors, but over time can progress to colon cancer.

The researchers did not find a direct link between red meat consumption and adenoma, but the results showed that replacing one serving of red meat a day with one serving of poultry or fish can reduce the risk of rectal and advanced adenoma by about 40 percent.

“Among the various cancers, colorectal cancer is the most diet-dependent,” says study author Dr. Katharina Nimpsch . Note that previous research has shown that diets high in red and processed meats may increase the risk of colon cancer. Other risk factors for colon cancer include excessive alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes and a diet high in fat.