Summary
This large prospective analysis of the EPIC cohort (478478 participants) examined whether higher fruit and vegetable intake reduces overall cancer risk. Increased intake of total vegetables and combined fruits and vegetables showed weak inverse associations with cancer incidence (HR ≈ 0.97–0.98 per serving), whilst fruit intake alone showed negligible association. The protective effect of vegetables was primarily observed in women and appeared stronger among heavy alcohol drinkers, particularly for smoking and alcohol-related cancers.
Regional applicability
The EPIC study includes substantial United Kingdom participation (around 15% of the cohort), so findings are directly applicable to UK dietary epidemiology and cancer prevention discourse. However, results suggest only modest risk reduction from high fruit and vegetable intake, which may temper public health messaging compared to earlier single-country studies.
Key measures
Hazard ratios (95% CI) for cancer incidence per 100 g/day increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and fruits and vegetables combined; stratified analyses by sex, smoking status, and alcohol intake
Outcomes reported
The study examined associations between fruit and vegetable intake and cancer incidence and mortality in a large prospective European cohort. Cancer incidence was ascertained over a median follow-up of 8.7 years (1992–2000), with 9604 cases in men and 21000 in women identified.
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