Processed meat and selected hormone-related cancers

Association of pickled food consumption with non-digestive system cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Several studies have demonstrated a significant association between the consumption of pickled foods and an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer. However, the relationship between pickled food intake and non-digestive system cancers (NDSCs) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aims to systematically review and analyse the risk of NDSCs associated with the consumption of pickled foods.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched from inception to July 2024.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Observational studies with a focus on the association between pickled food consumption and the development of NDSCs in children and adults were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

A random-effects model was used for meta-analyses to calculate the pooled risk of NDSCs, including lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer and lymphoma. Meta-sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 51 studies, encompassing 2 518 507 individuals, met the eligibility criteria. The results of our study suggested a notable correlation between elevated intake of pickled food and heightened susceptibility to breast cancer (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.39, I2=85.1%, p<0.01), prostate cancer (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.60, I2=75.9%, p<0.01), lymphoma (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.25, I2=55.8%, p=0.05), bladder cancer (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.23 to 2.07, I2=85.1%, p<0.01) and kidney cancer (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.45, I2=0%, p=0.56), when compared with individuals who either refrain from or have lower consumption of pickled food. However, no statistically significant association was found between pickled food intake and the risk of lung cancer, brain cancer, thyroid cancer, cervical cancer and leukaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated an association between pickled food consumption and an increased risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, bladder cancer and kidney cancer. Nevertheless, the certainty of the evidence was rated as very low. Future research should explore potential biological mechanisms and investigate diverse populations.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023434186.

Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research recommendations and endometrial cancer risk: a multicentric case-control study

The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) published evidence-based recommendations for cancer prevention focusing on body weight, physical activity, and diet. Our aim is to evaluate whether adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations could reduce endometrial cancer risk. We used data from a multicentric, Italian hospital-based case-control study (1992-2006) including 454 endometrial cancer cases and 908 age-matched controls. Adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations was measured using a score (range: 0-7) based on seven components: body mass index (BMI), physical activity and five dietary items; higher scores indicated higher adherence. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated by multiple (adjusted) conditional logistic regression models including terms for major confounders and energy intake. Adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations was inversely related to endometrial cancer risk (OR = 0·42, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0·30, 0·61 for the highest compared with the lowest score quartile), with a significant trend of decreasing risk with increasing adherence. An inverse association was also observed for a score including only dietary recommendations (OR = 0·67, 95 % CI 0·46, 0·96 for the highest compared with the lowest score tertile). In stratified analyses, the association was stronger among women with a normal weight, those who were older, and consequently those in post-menopause, and those with ≥ 2 children. In conclusion, high adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations has a favourable role in endometrial cancer risk, which is not fully explained by body weight.

The 2018 Revision of Italian Dietary Guidelines: Development Process, Novelties, Main Recommendations, and Policy Implications

The fourth edition of the Italian Dietary Guidelines (IDGs) for Healthy Eating was published in 2019. The objective of this paper is to describe the developmental process of IDGs, the main recommendations, the differences with previous revisions, and the concordance and differences with international guidance on a healthy diet. A National Commission oversaw IDG development. A Scientific Dossier (SD), including analysis on nutrition, health, and risk factors status in Italy, was the reference for IDGs preparation. The IDGs are based on the principles of the Mediterranean Diet and are mainly aimed to prevent obesity and nutrition-related non-communicable diseases. The IDGs included 13 directives that were divided into four conceptual blocks: i) how to balance weight; ii) foods to be promoted; iii) foods to be limited; and iv) how to ensure a varied and sustainable diet. Each directive has a box summarizing the key recommendation, myths lists, and false beliefs to be dispelled. The topics of sustainability and the correct approach to food supplementation and weight-loss diet were introduced in the present edition of IDGs. This paper contributes to the debate on the complexity of derivation of Dietary Guidelines and their adaptation to the national context.

Diabetes Risk Reduction Diet and Endometrial Cancer Risk

Diabetes increases endometrial cancer risk. We investigated the role of a diabetes risk reduction diet (DRRD) on the risk of endometrial cancer using data from a multicentric, Italian hospital-based case-control study (1992-2006) enrolling 454 histologically confirmed cases of endometrial cancer and 908 controls matched by age and center. We derived a DRRD score assigning higher scores for higher intakes of cereal fiber, fruit, coffee, polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio, and nuts and for lower glycemic load and lower intakes of red/processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages/fruit juices. The odds ratios (OR) of endometrial cancer according to the DRRD score were derived by multiple conditional logistic regression models. The OR for high (DRRD score >24, i.e., third tertile) versus medium-low adherence to the DRRD was 0.73 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.55-0.97). Similar results were observed after the exclusion of diabetic women (OR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56-1.00) and allowance for total vegetable consumption (OR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.60-1.07). Inverse associations were observed in most of the analyzed subgroups. The OR for high DRRD combined with high vegetable consumption was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.28-0.73). Our results suggest that diets able to reduce diabetes risk may also reduce endometrial cancer risk. High vegetable consumption combined with high adherence to the DRRD may provide additional benefit in endometrial cancer prevention.

Association of Prostate Cancer with Nuts, Seeds, Alcohol and Processed Meats: A Worldwide Population-Based Study

There are conflicting data with regards to the link between diet and the prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of dietary factors with incidence, prevalence and mortality rates of prostate cancer worldwide. We conducted an ecological study including 170 countries, whose data on incidence, prevalence and mortality rates of prostate cancer, dietary factors, and potentially confounding factors were available and collected in May 2020. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used. Consumption of nuts and seeds was inversely associated with incidence, prevalence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (β -0.7, P < 0.001; β -2.1, P < 0.001; β -0.1, P = 0.02; respectively). Intake of alcohol was associated with increased incidence, prevalence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (β 1.8, P < 0.001; β 4.5, P < 0.001; β 0.4, P < 0.001; respectively). Consumption of processed meats was also associated with increased incidence and prevalence rates of prostate cancer (β 0.6, P = 0.003; β 2.8, P = 0.001; respectively). These data suggest that consumption of nuts and seeds have a protective effect against prostate carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis, while alcohol and processed meat increase these risks.

Chemopreventive Properties of Extracts Obtained from Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and Jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora Berg.) in Combination with Probiotics

The association of probiotics and fruit extracts may influence the chemopreventive effect of colorectal cancer. In this context, antiproliferative activity was evaluated to select the best extracts that would be added probiotics, after addition of Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus in the extracts the antiradical and antioxidant activity, quinone reductase (QR) assay and apoptosis assay were evaluated. Four extracts were isolated: E1: rich in total phenolic compounds; E2: rich in water-soluble phenolic compounds; E3: rich in most apolar phenolic compounds and E4: rich in anthocyanins. The antiproliferative results showed that the best extracts for blueberry and jabuticaba were, respectively the extract E4 and E2. After addition of the probiotic bacteria in these best extracts, it was observed that E2 from jabuticaba presented significantly higher antiradical and antioxidant activity values compared to E4 from blueberry before and after addition of probiotics. There was also a 9-fold increase in activity of QR by the E2 from jabuticaba with Lactobacillus (JL). Likewise, this same extract showed a significant increase both in apoptotic and necrotic cells for both cells. In conclusion, extract rich in water-soluble phenolic compounds (E2) from jabuticaba presented a greater chemopreventive effect compared to the others.