Folate

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Suggested2 studies

Higher dietary folate intake linked to significant esophageal cancer risk reduction

Two case-control studies from Italy and Switzerland, encompassing over 850 esophageal cancer cases and more than 1,700 controls, consistently demonstrate an inverse association between dietary folate intake and esophageal cancer risk. Each 100 μg/day increment in folate reduced risk by 42% (OR 0.58), while the highest versus lowest tertile of intake yielded a 32% reduction (OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46–1.00). Per standard deviation increase (~98 μg/day), risk decreased by 16% (OR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72–0.99). The protective effect remained stable across subgroups defined by age, sex, and smoking status, and appeared somewhat stronger among individuals with high alcohol consumption — a known esophageal cancer risk factor. These findings support adequate dietary folate as a modifiable factor in esophageal cancer prevention.

Evidence

Dietary folates and cancer risk in a network of case-control studies

Authors: Dal Maso, L., Franceschi, S., La Vecchia, C., Levi, F., Malerba, S., Montella, M., Pelucchi, C., Serraino, D., Tavani, A., Zambon, A., Zucchetto, A.

Published: August 2, 2017

In a network of case-control studies from Italy and Switzerland (1991-2009) with 505 esophageal cancer cases, dietary folate showed the strongest inverse association among all cancer sites examined. An increment of 100μg/day of dietary folate yielded an odds ratio of 0.58, representing a 42% risk reduction. Odds ratios were estimated using multiple logistic regression models adjusted for major identified confounding factors. The association remained consistent across subgroups defined by sex, age, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.

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Folate intake and squamous-cell carcinoma of the oesophagus in Italian and Swiss men

Authors: Franceschi, S., Galeone, C., La Vecchia, C., Levi, F., Negri, E., Pelucchi, C., Talamini, R.

Published: August 2, 2017

A multicentric case-control study conducted in Italy and Switzerland (1992–1999) compared 351 men with incident, histologically confirmed oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC) against 875 hospital controls. The highest versus lowest tertile of dietary folate intake yielded a multivariate odds ratio of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.46–1.00). Each standard deviation increment in folate intake (98 μg/day) was associated with an OR of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72–0.99). The inverse association was somewhat stronger among those with high methionine, vitamin B6, and alcohol intake. The relationship did not vary substantially by age or smoking habits. This population was characterized by high alcohol consumption and infrequent supplement use.

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