Association between nut consumption and cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis and dose-response analysis of the relationship between nut intake and cancer risk and mortality. Electronic databases were searched. A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled effect sizes (ESs) with the corresponding 95% CIs, and a dose-response analysis was performed. A random-effects model was used in the statistical analysis. Two independent reviewers completed the full-text screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. We included 17 articles in the present meta-analysis. Total nuts intake was revealed to be significantly associated with reduced cancer risk (ES: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.86–0.95; P < 0.001) and cancer mortality (ES: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.85–0.92, P < 0.001), especially lung cancer risk (ES: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.81–0.91, P < 0.001) and gastric cancer risk (ES: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68–0.91, P = 0.001). Moreover, a 10 g/d increment of tree nuts consumption was associated with a 20% cancer mortality reduction (ES: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.71–0.89; P < 0.0001). Nuts intake is significantly associated with the reduction of cancer risk and mortality. Especially, nuts intake is significantly associated with reduced lung cancer risk and gastric cancer risk. Noticeably, a 10 g/d increase in tree nuts intake is related to a 20% reduction in overall cancer mortality.

Acknowledgments

The work was supported by the Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program (No.2021YFSY008) and the Technology Innovation Project of Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau (No.2019-YF05-00459-SN).

Authors’ Contributions

CC, Xy G and YH were responsible for statistical analysis and article writing. They contributed equally to this article. Sq N and Yl S were responsible for databases searching, studies inclusion and exclusion, quality assessment and data interpretation. Zr L was responsible for preparing figures and tables. YZ, Xl H and Xc P designed and supervised the study. All authors read and approved the submitted manuscript. All authors confirm that data are available on reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information.

Disclosure Statement

There are no conflicts to declare.

Data Availability Statement

Data are available on reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program (No.2021YFSY008) and the Technology Innovation Project of Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau (No.2019-YF05-00459-SN).