New research indicates that consuming at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily is associated with more than double the risk of developing gastric cancer compared to infrequent consumption. This finding stems from a study published on August 17 in the Gastro Hep Advances journal, which analyzed decades of data from over 100,000 individuals.
Researchers at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute conducted the study, noting that sugar-sweetened beverages included regular soda, energy drinks, and juices with added sugars. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 63% of adults aged 18 or older in the United States report drinking these types of beverages one or more times daily.
A gastroenterologist and epidemiologist with the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, Dr. Andrew T. Chan, stated that this is the first study to demonstrate an association between sugar-sweetened beverage intake and gastric cancer within a U.S. population. Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is the fifth leading cause of cancer death globally, yet little has been understood about diet’s role in its development.
Previous studies have also identified connections between these beverages and other cancer types, including colorectal, breast, and liver cancers. Gastric cancer can occur in any part of the stomach and is more challenging to cure in advanced stages.
The study also examined artificially sweetened beverages, defined as low-calorie carbonated drinks, and found no association with an increased risk of gastric cancer. However, this does not imply that diet sodas are without risk. Aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, was previously classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deemed it safe for consumption within acceptable daily limits.
Limitations of the study included restricted information on some participants’ health and family history, and a predominantly White participant group aged 30 to 75. This meant researchers could not examine associations within racial-ethnic subgroups or among younger adults. While mechanisms like weight gain, insulin resistance, and inflammation may explain the link between sugar-sweetened beverages and cancer risk, further research is needed to confirm the biological reasoning.
