​Adequate intake of foods packed with carotenoids may help boost an individual's defense against cancers of the head and neck.

This study evaluated the consumption of dietary carotenoids in relation to the development of cancers of the head and neck. Researchers conducted a meticulous meta-analysis on data extracted from 16 studies.

Researchers found out that individuals who consumed higher amounts of foods rich in carotenoids, such as lycopene, α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin had less chances of developing cancers associated with the head and neck, including oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers. Data from this study indicate that high dietary ingestion of carotenoid-containing foods may help guard against the development of cancers of the head and neck.