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# Choline, betaine prevent breast cancer in women with low folate
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/choline_betaine_breast_cancer_1117121213/
- Published: 2012-11-17T13:13:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:23:39.000Z
- Description: A Chinese case-control study of 807 breast cancer patients and 807 matched controls found women with the highest choline and betaine intakes had 60 and 41 percent lower breast cancer risk. The inverse link with choline appeared mainly in women with low folate.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Vitamins, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

By Jimmy Downs

Saturday Nov 17, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Having high intake of choline and betaine may help prevent breast cancer significantly, particularly in women who have low intake of folate, according to a new study in Cancer Science.

C.X. Zhang of School of Public Health Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, P.R. China and colleagues conducted the case-control study and found high intake of choline or betaine was associated with almost 50% reduced risk of breast cancer.

The case-control study involved 807 cases of breast cancer and 807 age- and residence-matched controls in China. Dietary intakes of choline and betaine were surveyed through a validated food frequency questionnaire and face-toface interview.

Women in the highest quartile of choline intake, betaine intake, and combined intake of choline and betaine were 60%, 41% and 62% reduced risk of breast cancer, prospectively, compared with those in the lowest quartile.

When individual choline compounds were considered, including glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and free choline, each was negatively associated with breast cancer risk. 

However, the inverse association between choline intake and breast cancer risk was primarily found in women with low folate level. Of women with low folate, those with the highest choline intakes had the risk for breast cancer lowered 54%, compared to those in the lowest intake of choline.

Folate is added to wheat flour in the U.S. and studies have shown that high levels of folate are associated with elevated risk of breast cancer even though folate helps prevent birth defects. 

The researchers concluded "This study suggested that consumption of choline and betaine was inversely associated with the risk of breast cancer. The association of choline intake with breast cancer risk was probably modified by folate intake."