Allium vegetables and upper aerodigestive tract cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#allium #databases-factual #diet #esophageal-neoplasms #gastrointestinal-neoplasms

Allium vegetables and upper aerodigestive tract cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Guercio et al., 2016 | Mol Nutr Food Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Guercio Valentina, Turati Federica, ... Tavani Alessandra. Allium vegetables and upper aerodigestive tract cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016-Jan;60(1):212-22. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201500587

Abstract

SCOPE: To provide updated quantitative overall estimations of the relation between total allium, garlic, and onion intake on the risk of cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). METHODS AND RESULTS: We combined data of published observational studies (21 case-control and four cohort studies), using a meta-analytic approach and random effects models. The overall relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the squamous cell carcinoma of the UADT were 0.79 (95% CI 0.56-1.11) for total allium, 0.74 (95% CI 0.57-0.95) for garlic, and 0.72 (95% CI 0.57-0.91) for onion for the highest versus the lowest consumption. The inverse relation was apparently stronger in case-control studies (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.83 for total allium), in Chinese studies (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45-0.98 for garlic intake), and for esophageal than for head and neck cancers. Apparently, there was no relation between allium vegetable intake and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. CONCLUSION: We found a moderate inverse association between allium vegetable intake and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the UADT in case-control studies. The relation was unclear in cohort studies and for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Key Findings

We combined data of published observational studies (21 case-control and four cohort studies), using a meta-analytic approach and random effects models. The overall relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the squamous cell carcinoma of the UADT were 0.79 (95% CI 0.56-1.11) for total allium, 0.74 (95% CI 0.57-0.95) for garlic, and 0.72 (95% CI 0.57-0.91) for onion for the highest versus the lowest consumption. The inverse relation was apparently stronger in case-control studies

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Allium
  • Databases, Factual
  • Diet
  • Esophageal Neoplasms
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
  • Humans
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: garlic

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09