Several other groups have reported positive correlations between the intake of
fermented soyfoods and stomach cancer. In a case-control study conducted
in Korea, three fermentation food dishes were cited as risk factors for stomach cancer;
doenjang (soybean paste) jagae, gochujang (hot pepper soybean paste) jigae, and
kimchi. It was also reported that the frequent consumption of tofu made from soybeans
decreased the risk. This study pointed out the importance of cooking methods
as well as ingredients and analyzed food consumption by prepared food type,
rather than raw materials. The authors singled out salt as the most important contributing
factor.15 It is noteworthy that kook (broth-type soup) made from doenjang and
gochujang did not show any positive correlation with the incidence of cancer. Later,
the same group pooled and analyzed the epidemiological data available in Korea and
again reached the same conclusion that salt, rather than soy components or fermentation
byproducts, was the risk factor for stomach cancer