Increased intake of vegetables, but not fruits, reduces risk for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

A decline in the risk of hepatocellular cancer is associated with habitual consumption of vegetables.

This study assessed the effect of high fruit and vegetable consumption on hepatocellular (liver) cancer risk. Researchers analyzed nutritional and clinical data extracted from 19 studies that examined 1,32957 subjects and 3,912 cases of hepatocellular cancer.

Researchers observed a low incidence of hepatocellular cancer among subjects who regularly consumed vegetables. The odds of developing hepatocellular cancer were found to decrease by 8% for every 100g increase in the intake of vegetables. However, generous consumption of fruits was found to have little or no effect on the hepatocellular cancer risk. The results of this study show that high dietary ingestion of vegetables may inhibit the development of cancerous cells in the liver.