High intake of cruciferous vegetables reduces the risk of gastrointestinal cancers: results from observational studies

• Published in: Critical reviews in food science and nutrition Vol. 64; no. 23; pp. 8493 - 8499
• Main Authors: Ren, Hong-Gang, Luu, Hung Nguyen, Liu, Ying, Wang, Dao Wen, Guo, Xingyi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 09.09.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Brassica - chemistry; Brassicaceae; Broccoli; cabbage; Cancer prevention; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; colorectal neoplasms; confidence interval; Consumption; cruciferous vegetables; Diet; Epidemiology; Esophageal cancer; esophageal neoplasms; food science; gall bladder; Gallbladder; Gallbladder cancer; Gastric cancer; gastrointestinal cancer; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - etiology; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - prevention & control; gastrointestinal system; Heterogeneity; Humans; Investigations; Liver cancer; liver neoplasms; meta-analysis; nutrition; Observational studies; Observational Studies as Topic; Pancreatic cancer; pancreatic neoplasms; risk; Risk Factors; Risk management; Risk reduction; stomach neoplasms; Vegetables; cruciferous vegetables; Cancer prevention; nutrition; gastrointestinal cancer
• ISSN: 1040-8398; 1549-7852; 1549-7852
• DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2271070

The relationship between cruciferous vegetables (CV) and the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers has been extensively investigated. However, epidemiologic investigations have produced inconsistent results. This meta-analysis investigated the association between CV intake and the risk of GI cancers. Due to the heterogeneity, fixed- or random-effects models were used for the analyses. The final analysis included 81 articles covering 89 studies. In comparison to the lowest consumption categories, the highest consumption categories of CV were associated with a lower risk for all GI cancers [rate ratio (RR): 0.81, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.76-0.87]. Compared to a CV intake of 75 g/day, subjects with CV intake <75 g/day experienced a 7% reduction in risk (RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.84-0.96) for each 50 g increase in consumption. A negative correlation was identified between CV intake and the risk of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer (CRC), but not gallbladder cancer (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.38-1.27). High intake of broccoli and cabbage was associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer (RR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.87) and gallbladder cancer (RR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29-0.75). These results confirm the association between high intake of CV with a reduced risk of GI cancers.