Grain consumption and risk of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

This study evaluated the relationship between grain consumption and the risk of gastric cancer. A total of 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. For whole grain consumption, there was a 13% reduction in the risk of gastric cancer (p = .003), and a subgroup analysis showed that a large amount of whole grain consumption reduced the risk of gastric cancer by 44% (p < .001). For refined grain consumption, there was a 36% increase in the risk of gastric cancer (p < .001); a subgroup analysis showed that a large and a moderate amount of refined grain consumption increased the risk of gastric cancer by 63% (p < .001) and 28% (p < .001), respectively. A large intake of whole grains might be protective against gastric cancer, whereas the ingestion of refined cereals may be a risk factor for gastric cancer. Moreover, the risk of cancer increases with the increase of refined grain intake.

Keywords:

• Grain
• gastric cancer
• systematic evaluation
• meta-analysis

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge all authors of the original studies that were included in this meta-analysis.

Disclosure statement

All the authors declare that they have no conflicting interest.