Egg intake and the risk of glioma and head and neck cancers: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.
Mohammad Amin Mohammadi, Ali Kosari, Gholamreza Askari et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis examined observational evidence on egg consumption and glioma or head and neck cancer (HNC) risk. Eleven studies included 1,274,437 participants, with 4,199 glioma and 3,164 HNC cases. Egg intake was associated with lower glioma risk in Eastern populations (RR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.35-0.73). A non-linear dose-response analysis found that HNC risk gradually increased with intake above 50 grams per day (>1 egg/day). These findings describe associations and do not establish that egg consumption causes either outcome.
Key findings
- Across Eastern populations, egg consumption was associated with reduced glioma risk (RR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.35-0.73).
- The non-linear dose-response analysis indicated gradually increased HNC risk with egg intake above 50 grams per day (>1 egg/day).
- The review included eleven observational studies: seven on glioma and four on HNC, with 1,274,437 participants.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that associations between egg intake and cancer risk may differ by cancer type, population, and intake level. They add evidence to a previously conflicting literature on glioma and provide a dose-response assessment for HNC. Because the evidence comes from observational studies, these results are best interpreted as patterns that warrant further investigation rather than proof of dietary effects.
What to keep in mind
The analysis included observational studies, so it cannot establish causation; the abstract does not report further study-level limitations.