Can taking antioxidants protect you against cancer?

Certain antioxidants have been shown to reduce cancer risk, particularly when provided to individuals who are lacking nutrients. However, this effect has for the most part only been seen in men. Women in these studies did not have significant reductions in cancer risk with antioxidants.

Professionally Reviewed by Charles Li, MD

TL;DR

Antioxidants & Cancer Risk

Benefits of antioxidants

Certain antioxidants have been shown to reduce cancer risk, particularly when provided to individuals who are lacking nutrients.

Antioxidants & Gender

However, this effect has for the most part only been seen in men. Women in these studies did not have significant reductions in cancer risk with antioxidants.

More research is needed

At this point, we don't know which antioxidant nutrients help and which ones hurt. Some, such as beta-carotene, can actually increase your risk of cancer as shown below.

Background

Antioxidants

Key Facts

Examples

Antioxidants

Key Facts

How they work

Antioxidants prevent cell damage by counteracting free radicals.

Effect on Disease

Research on Antioxidants and disease prevention has shown mixed results.

Common Sources

Chocolate

Berries & Fruit

Coffee

Antioxidants

Examples

beta-carotene

Your body makes vitamin A with beta-carotene, commonly found in carrots.

Vitamin C

Found in all sorts of fruits, Vitamin C is a very commonly consumed antioxidant.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E can be found in nuts and seeds.

Study 1

Antioxidants & Cancer Risk

One study has found that antioxidants may potentially reduce risk of cancer, but only in men.

Antioxidants and cancer risk: clinical trial results data visualization

A study in France found that a combination of antioxidants, including selenium, zinc, vitamin E, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, may potentially reduce risk of cancer, but only in men. Women were showed no reduction in their risk of cancer by taking antioxidants. This result was statistically significant: "However, a significant interaction between sex and group effects on cancer incidence was found (P = .004). Sex-stratified analysis showed a protective effect of antioxidants in men (relative risk, 0.69 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-0.91]) but not in women (relative risk, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.85-1.29])."

Our Take

This study showed an interesting reduction in cancer risk among men, however this did not translate into an overall lower risk of cancer. Additionally, since they were given a combination of different nutrients, it's impossible to tell which antioxidant had the strongest effect.

Data Source

"After 7.5 years, low-dose antioxidant supplementation lowered total cancer incidence and all-cause mortality in men but not in women. Supplementation may be effective in men only because of their lower baseline status of certain antioxidants, especially of beta carotene."

Source: The SU.VI.MAX Study: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the health effects of antioxidant vitamins and minerals

Study 2

Selenium & Cancer Risk

Selenium, a potent antioxidant, has been shown to potentially reduce cancer risk among men, particularly former smokers.

The chart above shows that selenium supplements may reduce cancer risk in men. Men who took selenium showed a reduction in cancer risk: HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.50–0.89. This was particularly pronounced in prostate cancer risk: HR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.28–0.80

Our Take

This study shows that selenium may help men, particularly former smokers. As with many nutrients, they only show benefits when given to those who lack them. Further research is needed however before we know for sure.

Data Source

"The Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trial continues to show a protective effect of selenium on cancer incidence, although not all site-specific cancers exhibited a reduction in incidence. This treatment effect was restricted to males and to those with lower baseline plasma selenium concentrations."

Source: Baseline Characteristics and the Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Cancer Incidence in a Randomized Clinical Trial

Study 3

Antioxidants can also cause cancer

Surprisingly, some antioxidants may cause cancer if you take too much.

Chart on antioxidant dangers and cancer risk

Antioxidants may increase cancer risk when taken in very high doses. A study that gave smokers and former smokers high doses of beta-carotene had to be stopped early because they found that those given the treatment were much more likely to develop lung cancer. (1.28x, 95CI = 1.04-1.57).

Our Take

This clinical trial shows that giving very high doses of antioxidants may not help. In fact, it can potentially increase your risk of cancer.

Data Source

"After an average of four years of supplementation, the combination of beta carotene and vitamin A had no benefit and may have had an adverse effect on the incidence of lung cancer and on the risk of death from lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and any cause in smokers and workers exposed to asbestos."

Source: Effects of a Combination of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A on Lung Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease

Key Takeaway

Antioxidants & Cancer

Antioxidants may have some effect on cancer, but the data is mixed. Taking nutrients when you lack them is in general a good thing, as shown by the benefits of supplements for those who have low levels. However, taking very high doses can be dangerous.

More Information

Antioxidants

Antioxidants: 3 Potential Benefits

Brain Power

Long term use may benefit cognition

Brain Power

Some studies have shown that taking antioxidants over many years can potentially lead to improvements in memory and verbal intelligence. However, this effect takes many years to manifest. More research is needed before we know for sure.

Cancer

Potential risk reduction.

Cancer

Some studies have shown that giving antioxidants to people who are deficient in certain antioxidant nutrients may help prevent cancer. But, the effect is not large and the research is mixed.

Vision

May protect against aging.

Vision

Certain antioxidants, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and lutein, have been shown to potentially protect the eye from age-related vision deterioration (macular degeneration).

Background Information

Antioxidants & Cancer

What are free radicals?

"Free radicals and oxidants play a dual role as both toxic and beneficial compounds, since they can be either harmful or helpful to the body. They are produced either from normal cell metabolisms in situ or from external sources (pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, medication). When an overload of free radicals cannot gradually be destroyed, their accumulation in the body generates a phenomenon called oxidative stress. "

Nutrition and cancer

"While there are many factors you can't change that increase your cancer risk, such as genetics and environment, there are others you can control. In fact, estimates suggest that less than 30% of a person's lifetime risk of getting cancer results from uncontrollable factors. The rest you have the power to change, including your diet. "

Cancer Risk & Gender

"The gender difference in cancer susceptibility is one of the most consistent findings in cancer epidemiology. Hematologic malignancies are generally more common in males and this can be generalized to most other cancers. Similar gender differences in non-malignant diseases including autoimmunity, are attributed to hormonal or behavioral differences. "

Vitamin Guides

Chapter 1: Vitamin A

Chapter 2: Vitamin C

Chapter 3: Vitamin D