Fruit and vegetables help protect against common pancreatic diseases, Auckland University researchers say.
The biggest risks came from smoking, obesity and heavy drinking.
A team led by Dr Max Petrov and Professor John Windsor from the Department of Surgery reviewed and analysed 51 studies, involving more than three million people and nearly 11,000 patients with pancreatic disorders.
Tobacco use was found to be the single most important risk factor in developing pancreatic diseases, increasing the risk by 87 per cent compared to people who never smoked.
Smoking and heavy drinking had bigger effects on the risk of acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis than on pancreatic cancer.
Vegetable and fruit consumption provided the greatest protection against pancreatic diseases, Petrov said. Vegetable consumption had a stronger association with protection against acute pancreatitis, and fruit consumption with protection against pancreatic cancer.
Most of the studies used in the review came from the United States, Scandinavia and Japan. No quality population-based study came from New Zealand due to a lack of national linkage of health data, Petrov said
“There is a strong need to invest in a health data linkage system in New Zealand, if risk and protective factors for diseases of the pancreas [and other organs] in New Zealanders are to be unveiled,” he said.
Pancreatic cancer was predicted to become the leading cause of cancer deaths by 2050.
The pancreas is part of the digestive system, producing hormones including insulin, while also helping the body absorb nutrients, break down carbohydrates, proteins and other compounds.
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