New research from Mass General Brigham found that drinking a sugary drink daily was linked to nearly triple the risk of stomach cancer compared to one drink a month. Almost two-thirds of American adults surveyed consume a sugary drink daily. The study included regular soda, juices, lemonade and sports drinks sweetened with fructose.
Prior research linked sugary beverages to liver, breast and colorectal cancers. This is the first study to show how drinks impact gastric tissue.
“It’s definitely a concern because we are seeing an increase in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in young people [under] 50,” said senior author Andrew Chan, a gastroenterologist and epidemiologist with the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. “Our increasing consumption of sugary drinks and also ultra-processed foods is likely to be contributing to some of these cancer trends.”
Diet sodas were included in the study that looked at more than 100,000 participants. Diet sodas did not increase the risk of stomach cancer. The participants were all in the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They were mostly white. More research is needed to see if the results would be the same in a wider population. As it was observational, it cannot prove cause and effect; it can only show patterns and see a link.
Chan said that if further research shows a link, cutting back on sugary drinks could be an easy way people could lower their cancer risk. Stomach cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment can be harder.
“Unlike some cancers with established screening programs, there isn’t a standard screening test for stomach cancer in the U.S.,” said Dr. Chan. “Thus, prevention of stomach cancer through modifying risk factors such as diet is critical.”
Diet sodas aren’t without health risks. Research has found that two sodas a day — diet or regular — may increase the risk of death. A different study has found that diet soda is just as bad for heart health as normal soda. Generally, we always recommend water as your healthiest drink option.
During the summer, when staying hydrated is essential, skim milk is your best option. It’s more hydrating than water or beverages with electrolytes. And, unlike soda or juice, it doesn’t contain fructose. That may lower cancer risk and help you stay hydrated all summer long!
