White bread, cornflakes and puffed rice significantly increase the risk of lung cancer

Foods with high glycemic index lead to significantly increased lung cancer risk
Carbohydrate-containing foods with a high glycemic index (GI), such as white bread, bread rolls, cornflakes or puffed rice, apparently cause a marked increase in lung cancer risk. US scientists at the University of Texas's MD Anderson Cancer Center have found in a recent study that individuals with particularly high intakes of such foods have a 49 percent increased risk of lung cancer compared to those with particularly low intakes of such foods.

The glycemic index describes how much carbohydrate-containing foods affect blood sugar levels. A high GI stands for a high rise in blood sugar levels as a result of consumption. In their epidemiological study, US scientists investigated possible associations between the intake of high GI foods and lung cancer risk. The findings also reveal for the first time that GI causes a dramatic increase in lung cancer risk, particularly in some subgroups, such as those who have never smoked, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

49 percent increased lung cancer risk
As part of their study, the US scientists examined data from 1,905 lung cancer diagnosed and 2,413 healthy individuals. Subjects should indicate their dietary habits, and researchers used this information to determine GI and glycemic load (GI by carbohydrate content of food) of the food being consumed.

On the basis of this data, the study participants were subdivided into five groups of equal size followed by a calculation of the respective lung cancer risk in the different groups. "We observed a 49 percent increased risk of lung cancer in patients with the highest daily GI compared to those with the lowest daily GI," said Xifeng Wu of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Interestingly enough, GL did not show any significant associations with the risk of lung cancer, suggesting that it is not the quantity but the quality of the carbohydrates taken in that influences the lung cancer risk.

Lung cancer risk increased particularly markedly among nonsmokers
Looking at different subgroups, the researchers found that the association between the consumption of high GI foods and the risk of lung cancer was particularly marked in those who had never smoked, had squamous cell carcinoma, or had less than 12 years of education.

For example, while smokers in the highest GI group were 31 percent more likely to be at risk than the lowest GI group, non-smokers in the highest GI group had nearly twice as high a risk as non-smokers had the lowest GI group , The effect of the risk factor "GI" is obviously stronger in the absence of the dominant risk factor "tobacco use", says Xifeng Wu.

Low education level with effects on lung cancer risk
The relationship between the GI and the risk of lung cancer was also particularly clear for those with a lower level of education. Those who completed less than 12 years of training showed a 77% increased lung cancer risk compared to the lowest GI group in the high GI group. For those with more than 12 years of training, the risk between the two groups was only 33% higher. The educational level was used by the researchers as a "proxy for the socioeconomic status" of the subjects. Low socioeconomic status is therefore associated with greater increases in lung cancer risk when consuming high GI foods.

Causal link so far not proven
"A diet high in glycemic index leads to higher blood sugar and insulin levels that promote disorders in insulin-like growth factors (IGFs)," said lead author of the study, Stephanie Melkonian. Although previous studies have suggested that high levels of IGFs may be associated with increased lung cancer risk, the relationship between GI and lung cancer risk has remained unclear.

In the current study, the researchers were now able to establish a clear correlation between the GI of the food consumed and the lung cancer risk. However, it remains unclear whether this is a causal relationship, write Melkonian and colleagues. Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between GI and lung cancer and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Limit intake of high GI foods
While no specific nutritional recommendations could be made based on current results, the authors suggest limiting the consumption of high GI foods and drinks such as white bread or buns, cornflakes and puffed rice for a balanced diet to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer and chronic lung cancer To reduce disease. Examples of low GI foods include wholemeal bread, oatmeal and noodles.

"The results of this study suggest that, in addition to a healthy lifestyle with no tobacco, low alcohol levels, and sufficient physical activity, reduced consumption of high glycemic index foods and drinks can be used as a means of reducing the risk of lung cancer," emphasizes Xifeng Wu. The researchers published their findings in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention of the American Association for Cancer Research. (Fp)