Higher intake of whole grains and dietary fiber are associated with lower risk of liver cancer and chronic liver disease mortality

The relationship between dietary factors and liver disease remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the associations of whole grain and dietary fiber intake with liver cancer risk and chronic liver disease mortality. The National Institutes of Health–American Association of Retired Persons Diet and Health Study cohort recruited 485, 717 retired U.S. participants in 1995–1996. Follow-up through 2011 identified 940 incident liver cancer cases and 993 deaths from chronic liver disease. Compared with the lowest, the highest quintile of whole grain intake was associated with lower liver cancer risk (Hazard ratio [HR] Q5 vs. Q1 = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63–0.96) and chronic liver disease mortality (HR Q5 vs. Q1 = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.35–0.55) in multivariable Cox models. Dietary fiber was also associated with lower liver cancer risk (HR Q5 vs. Q1 = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53–0.90) and chronic liver disease mortality (HR Q5 vs. Q1 = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.29–0.48). Fiber from vegetables, beans and grains showed potential protective effect. Here, we show that higher intake of whole grain and dietary fiber are associated with lower risk of liver cancer and liver disease mortality. Higher intake of dietary fiber and whole grains are associated with reduced risk of various diseases including some cancers. Here, the authors estimate reductions in liver cancer of 22% and 31% and chronic liver disease mortality of 56% and 63% associated with increased whole grain and dietary fiber intake, respectively.