Honeybear Brands, a prominent grower and marketer of premium apples, pears, and cherries, is encouraging retailers to promote fiber-rich apples this March as part of a health initiative aimed at reducing the risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. With the growing number of younger adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the company is advocating for increased dietary fiber intake to help combat the disease.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., and its incidence among people under 55 has nearly doubled since 1995. This concerning trend has prompted the American Cancer Society to update its screening guidelines, recommending that individuals begin regular screenings at age 45 instead of 50.
Experts attribute the rise in colorectal cancer rates to the prevalence of processed, low-fiber, high-fat diets in the American food culture. However, adopting a high-fiber diet is considered a key preventive measure. Apples, with their high fiber content, particularly in the skin, are seen as an excellent food choice for boosting fiber intake. In addition to fiber, apples contain phytochemicals such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which may help protect against certain types of cancer.
Kristi Harris, Marketing Director at Honeybear Brands, highlighted the importance of fiber-rich foods, particularly apples, in a recent press release. “As younger adults see their risk for this disease increase, we want to encourage them to add more fiber to their daily diets. Apples are an easy way to do this. A portable snack, or an easy ingredient in a meal, apples are within reach and very affordable,” she said.
Honeybear Brands is supporting this colorectal cancer awareness campaign at retail stores by offering point-of-sale promotional materials featuring the blue ribbon, a symbol associated with gut health. The company is also collaborating with food blogger My Food Gal on a social media campaign, showcasing a simple, high-fiber recipe that combines apples, oats, and peanut butter to inspire consumers to make healthier choices.
By encouraging fiber-rich diets, Honeybear Brands hopes to play a part in the ongoing effort to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer through informed, accessible nutrition.
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