According to a new study, women who consume daily dose of a multivitamin pill may face a higher risk of breast cancer. About 35,000 women were followed in a 10-year study, it was discovered that in women who frequently took a multi-vitamin pill the risk of developing a tumor increased by 19%.

The study was conducted by Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements significantly increases the density of breast tissue which is a strong risk factor for breast cancer, according to the researchers.

Tumor growth may be accelerated by folic acid, often presented in a potent form in multi-vitamins.

The lead author of the study, Susanna Larrson said, “Results from this prospective study suggests that the use of multivitamins may increase the risk of breast cancer”.