Meta-analysis: Does garlic intake reduce risk of gastric cancer? 2015

R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
a The Whiteley-Martin Research Centre, Discipline of Surgery , The University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, Nepean , Penrith , New South Wales , Australia.

In the past 2 decades, various epidemiological studies investigated whether garlic can positively modify the risk of gastric cancer. Garlic contains numerous sulfide compounds, including diallyl trisulfide, which have anticarcinogenic properties. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine if garlic intake reduces the risk of gastric cancer. An electronic search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE to June 2014 was completed. There were 14 case control studies, 2 randomized controlled studies, and 1 cohort study that fulfilled our inclusion criteria. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of gastric cancer with garlic consumption. Meta-analysis of a total of 8,621 cases and 14,889 controls was conducted. Significant variability in duration of garlic intake and reference categories for amount of intake was noted. High, low, and any garlic intake were all associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer. High intake had the most significant risk reduction, OR = 0.49 (95% CI: 0.38-0.62). Heterogeneity was low (I² = 30.85, P = 0.17). A more modest risk reduction was associated with low intake, OR = 0.75 (95% CI: 0.58-0.97). Half of the studies did not separate garlic intake into high or low amounts, intake was only noted as consumption vs. non-consumption. Any amount of consumption still showed a risk reduction similar to low intake, OR = 0.77 (95% CI: 0.60-1.00). Low and any amount of consumption showed moderate heterogeneity (58% and 45%, respectively). Garlic intake appears to be associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer. Further high quality studies are required to confirm this finding and to assess the amount of garlic that needs to be consumed for protective effect.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005737 Garlic A species of Allium used as a spice (SPICES) and traditional remedy. It contains alliin lyase and alliin, which is converted by alliin lyase to allicin, the pungent ingredient responsible for the aroma of fresh cut garlic. Allium sativum
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012306 Risk The probability that an event will occur. It encompasses a variety of measures of the probability of a generally unfavorable outcome. Relative Risk,Relative Risks,Risk, Relative,Risks,Risks, Relative
D013274 Stomach Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the STOMACH. Cancer of Stomach,Gastric Cancer,Gastric Neoplasms,Stomach Cancer,Cancer of the Stomach,Gastric Cancer, Familial Diffuse,Neoplasms, Gastric,Neoplasms, Stomach,Cancer, Gastric,Cancer, Stomach,Cancers, Gastric,Cancers, Stomach,Gastric Cancers,Gastric Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Gastric,Neoplasm, Stomach,Stomach Cancers,Stomach Neoplasm
D016588 Anticarcinogenic Agents Agents that reduce the frequency or rate of spontaneous or induced tumors independently of the mechanism involved. Anti-Carcinogenic Agents,Anti-Carcinogenic Drugs,Anti-Carcinogenic Effect,Anti-Carcinogenic Effects,Anticarcinogenic Drugs,Anticarcinogenic Effect,Anticarcinogenic Effects,Anticarcinogens,Agents, Anti-Carcinogenic,Agents, Anticarcinogenic,Anti Carcinogenic Agents,Anti Carcinogenic Drugs,Anti Carcinogenic Effect,Anti Carcinogenic Effects,Drugs, Anti-Carcinogenic,Drugs, Anticarcinogenic,Effect, Anti-Carcinogenic,Effect, Anticarcinogenic,Effects, Anti-Carcinogenic,Effects, Anticarcinogenic
D055951 Functional Food Components of the usual diet that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrients. Examples of functional foods include soy, nuts, chocolate, and cranberries (From NCCAM Backgrounder, March 2004, p3). Food, Functional,Foods, Functional,Functional Foods
D018517 Plant Roots The usually underground portions of a plant that serve as support, store food, and through which water and mineral nutrients enter the plant. (From American Heritage Dictionary, 1982; Concise Dictionary of Biology, 1990) Plant Bulbs,Plant Root,Bulb, Plant,Bulbs, Plant,Plant Bulb,Root, Plant,Roots, Plant

Related Publications

R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
January 2020, Medicine,
R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
October 2007, The Journal of nutrition,
R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
January 2009, The American journal of clinical nutrition,
R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
July 2013, Gastroenterology,
R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
February 2014, The Turkish journal of gastroenterology : the official journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology,
R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
July 2009, Annals of internal medicine,
R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
January 2021, Frontiers in nutrition,
R T Kodali, and Guy D Eslick
August 2012, Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland),
Copied contents to your clipboard!