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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Dec;36(12):1647-1661.
doi: 10.1007/s10552-025-02053-9. Epub 2025 Aug 27.

Dietary factors and colorectal cancer risk in Asian populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Hyobin Lee #  1   2 , Linda Ngoun #  3 , Sukhong Min  1 , Jialei Fu  4 , Woo-Kyoung Shin  5 , Daehee Kang  6   7 , Sangah Shin  8
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Dietary factors and colorectal cancer risk in Asian populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Hyobin Lee et al. Cancer Causes Control. 2025 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Few studies have examined the preventive effects of dietary factors against CRC in Asian populations. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize and analyze current evidence on the relationships between various dietary components and the risk of CRC, colon cancer, and rectal cancer in Asian populations.

Methods: We included cohort studies from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus reporting an association between dietary factors and CRC risk in Asian populations. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the pooled risk estimates. Cochran's Q and I2 statistics were employed to assess heterogeneity. Funnel plots and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias.

Results: Eighty-two publications met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that healthy dietary patterns were associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer (RR = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.74-0.97), and calcium intake was linked to a slight reduction in CRC risk (RR = 0.93, 95% CI, 0.86-1.00). Conversely, high total meat consumption was associated with increased risks of CRC (RR = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.03-1.34), and white meat intake was associated with a potential 40% increased risk of rectal cancer (RR = 1.40, 95% CI, 1.00-1.96).

Conclusions: This review suggested that healthy dietary patterns and calcium intake are associated with a lower risk of CRC in Asian populations. Nonetheless, additional studies are warranted to clarify the associations between dietary patterns and CRC risk.

Keywords: Asia; Colorectal cancer; Dietary pattern; Food groups; Meta-analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of selection criteria
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pooled results of food groups, dietary patterns, and A colorectal cancer, B colon cancer, and C rectal cancer risk
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pooled results of food groups, dietary patterns, and A colorectal cancer, B colon cancer, and C rectal cancer risk
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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