A new study published August 17 in the journal Gastro Hep Advances suggests a significant link between the daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and an increased risk of gastric cancer. Researchers from the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute analyzed decades of data from over 100,000 individuals, finding that those who consume at least one sugar-sweetened drink per day face more than twice the risk of developing stomach cancer compared to those who rarely consume them. The study defined these beverages as regular sodas, energy drinks, and juices containing added sugars.
Dr. Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist, epidemiologist, and the study’s senior author, noted that this is the first research to establish such an association within a U.S. population. “Gastric cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, but we’ve known very little about how diet might contribute to this cancer,” Chan stated in a news release. According to the Mayo Clinic, gastric cancer can occur in any part of the stomach and becomes increasingly difficult to treat as it advances.
The prevalence of these dietary habits is high; data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 63% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older report consuming sugar-sweetened beverages at least once every day. While the current study focused on sugar-sweetened options, it found that artificially sweetened, low-calorie carbonated beverages were not associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. However, researchers cautioned that this does not imply diet sodas are entirely without risk. For instance, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has previously labeled aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, as a possible carcinogen, though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains that it is safe for consumption within established daily limits.
The study authors acknowledged several limitations, noting that they had limited information regarding the family and health histories of participants. Furthermore, because the study group was predominantly White and aged between 30 and 75, the researchers were unable to examine potential associations among younger adults or across various racial and ethnic subgroups. Previous research has already linked sugar-sweetened beverages to other malignancies, including liver, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Regarding the biological mechanisms behind the findings, the authors pointed to factors such as inflammation, insulin resistance, and weight gain as potential contributors to the increased cancer risk. They emphasized that further research is essential to confirm the specific biological pathways connecting these beverages to the development of gastric cancer.
