Two or more sodas a day linked to increased risk of death from cancer

September 20, 2022

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A new study has shed important new light on the relationship between sugary drinks and cancer risk

The relationship between sugar and human health is a complex one, but new research has added some valuable new detail around the habitual consumption of the sweet stuff. The study suggests that drinking two or more servings of sugary drinks each day can carry an increase in mortality risk from obesity-related cancer, seemingly tied to a higher body mass index (BMI).

The study focused on sweetened beverages and their relationship to mortality risk from various cancer types. The data concerned the consumption habits of more than 900,000 subjects who were cancer-free in 1982, with a follow-up assessment then made in 2016.

At this point, 135,100 participants had died from cancer, with examination of the association with beverage consumption habits offering some useful insights. Among them was the finding that men and women who drank two or more servings (one serving is 12 oz, or 355 ml) of sugar-sweetened beverages each day had a five percent increase in risk of death from not all cancer types, but obesity-related cancer specifically. This increased risk became null after adjustment for BMI.

The scientists therefore conclude that this higher mortality rate stemming from sugary drink consumption was partially mediated through obesity, and that future research should consider the role of BMI in studies of cancer risk from sweetened beverages.

“These results should inform public policy regarding sweetened beverage consumption to decrease the risk of cancer for men and women in the US,” said Dr. Marjorie McCullough, lead author of the study.

The research was published in the journal Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

Source: American Cancer Society

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Nick Lavars

Nick has been writing and editing at New Atlas for over six years, where he has covered everything from distant space probes to self-driving cars to oddball animal science. He previously spent time at The Conversation, Mashable and The Santiago Times, earning a Masters degree in communications from Melbourne’s RMIT University along the way.

3 comments

Bob809 September 21, 2022 08:32 AM

So, Sweetened or Sugary, or just Sugary? Sweeteners are far more dangerous than just sugar, but when mixed together in the same product -not just drinks- they must be more lethal. I unfortunately am a sugar addict, much like an alcoholic or a drug abuser. When working abroad I didn't trust the water drinks so had various 'fizzy' drinks during my six and a half years working abroad. I used to buy two to three packs of 24 cans a week. I took them to work and had them at my accomodation. I still drink them now, but nowhere near as much, when I shouldn't drink any. Yep, I am type 2 diabetic. Let this be a warning to you out there reading this. Don't do it, don't get addicted, it is a real addiction just like smoking.

Daishi September 21, 2022 12:36 PM

@Bob809 Artificial sweeteners have their own problems but high sugar intake contributes to developing type 2 diabetes. Some diabetics are able to switch from soda with sugar to substitute without the measured insulin response. Were you buying 2-3 24 packs of regular soda or diet soda? And yes to the extent that diet sodas still contribute to obesity (speculation but potentially through increased appetite) they are unlikely to help much with the outcome of this study. I still consume too much soda but I discovered one of the reasons I liked it so much more than tap water was temperature. Using a pitcher with a built in filter and adding some lemon for flavor is something that has helped me drink less soda. Keeping it topped off so I don't subconsciously snack when I'm just thirsty has been another useful strategy for me.

EH September 22, 2022 07:33 AM

The takeaway from this is there was no effect from sugary drinks on all-cause mortality or cancers in general, only a 5% increase in risk for obesity-related cancers, which only occurred in overweight people. Despite having a huge sample, the authors did not look at other risks, nor did they examine the risks of artificially sweetened drinks. Other, much smaller studies have found that artificially sweetened drinks increase the risks of strokes and dementia by a factor of three and also substantially increase the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. A recent study "Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study" with a cohort of over 100k found an increased overall cancer risk for above-average consumption of artificial sweeteners of about 15%. It very much looks like artificial sweeteners are worse for health than sugar.