Microbes in your food can help or hinder your body's defenses against cancer – how diet influences the conflict between cell 'cooperators' and 'cheaters'

You can change your gut microbiome composition by eating different foods. wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images

The microbes living in your food can affect your risk of cancer. While some help your body fight cancer, others help tumors evolve and grow.

Gut microbes can influence your cancer risk by changing how your cells behave. Many cancer-protective microbes support normal, cooperative behavior of cells. Meanwhile, cancer-inducing microbes undermine cellular cooperation and increase your risk of cancer in the process.