The study, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, says a sharp rise in recent decades of U.S. esophageal cancer -- from 300,000 cases in 1973 to 2.1 million in 2001 at age-adjusted rates -- reflects the sharp rise in carbohydrate intake and obesity during the same period of time.

The study found carbohydrates were unique in that no other studied nutrients were found to correlate with esophageal cancer rates. Also, a high percentage of carbohydrates from refined carbohydrates has been found to contribute to obesity and obesity has been named as a risk factor for many types of cancer.

"If we can reverse the trends in refined carbohydrate intake and obesity in the United States, we may be able to reduce the incidence of esophageal cancer," senior study author Dr. Li Li of Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland said in a statement.

Despite recent advances in treatment, the five-year rate of survival for esophageal cancer remains below 20 percent. Esophageal cancer is the eighth-leading cause of cancer related death in U.S. men.