HealthSalt intake linked to increased stomach cancer risk, study finds

Salt intake linked to increased stomach cancer risk, study finds

A diet high in salt promotes stomach cancer.

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7:16 AM EDT, May 12, 2024

The most widely used seasoning worldwide is a significant contributor to stomach cancer cases, according to research from the Medical University of Vienna. In a comprehensive analysis involving nearly half a million people, scientists have affirmed that an increase in salt intake correlates with a higher risk of developing stomach cancer.

Previously, the connection between high salt consumption and stomach cancer was primarily associated with Asian populations. However, this recent study has expanded its focus to include European individuals, unveiling consistent findings across different demographics.

The findings are clear: individuals who frequently add extra salt to their dishes face a 40 percent greater risk of stomach cancer compared to those who abstain from doing so. This conclusion stems from an analysis of data from over 470,000 British participants gathered by the UK Biobank project since 2006. After monitoring the subjects for 11 years, researchers observed a 39 percent lower incidence of stomach cancer in those who avoided using additional salt.

Selma Kronsteiner-Gicevic, a study co-author, emphasized that the observed link between salt intake and stomach cancer remained significant even after adjusting for demographic factors, socio-economic status, and lifestyle influences.

Stomach cancer ranks fifth among the most prevalent cancers globally, with its likelihood increasing after age 50. Nonetheless, there has been a noticeable rise in diagnoses among younger individuals. Researchers attribute this trend not only to other risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes and Helicobacter pylori infections but also to diets excessively high in salt. Tilman Kühn, the study's lead researcher, highlighted these dietary habits as a critical concern in the fight against stomach cancer.