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Nut consumption associated with reduced risk for colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial cancers
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Nut consumption was associated with lowered risk for developing colorectal, pancreatic and endometrial cancer, but similar associations were not observed for other cancers or type 2 diabetes, according to results from a new systematic review and meta-analysis.
“This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis study estimating the association between nut intake and risk of cancers,” Lang Wu, a PhD student at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said in a press release. “Our study suggests that nut consumption may be associated with reduced risk of cancers, which may have practical implication. Aligning with the known beneficial effect of nuts on heart diseases, our study may imply that individuals interested in making better food choices to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease can consider consuming nuts, after considering the caloric and fat contents of different types of nuts.”
Lang Wu
As evidence on the disease-preventive role of nut consumption is limited, Wu and colleagues searched six databases for case-control studies, cohort studies or clinical trials published through August 2014 that assessed associations between nut consumption and risk for developing type 2 diabetes or specific cancers. A total of 36 studies were included in the final analysis including 30,708 patients who were followed for a median of 10.15 years (range, 4.6-30 years) and whose nut consumption was determined via interview or self-completed questionnaire.
Comparing the highest vs. lowest categories of nut consumption showed associations with reduced risk for colorectal cancer (RR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61-0.96), pancreatic cancer (RR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.48-0.96) and endometrial cancer (RR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43-0.79).
There were no significant associations observed between nut consumption and type 2 diabetes, upper-aerodigestive tract cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, gastric cancer, glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer or stomach cancer. There was an overall reduced risk of cancer incidence associated with nut consumption (RR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.95).
“Given the scarcity of currently available data … evidence from additional studies is required to more precisely determine the relationship between nut consumption and risk of individual cancer types,” the researchers wrote. – by Adam Leitenberger
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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