Adults who drank sugar-sweetened beverages every day had higher observed risk of gastric cancer, while artificially sweetened drinks showed no such association significantly. Sugary drinks are part of daily routine for many Americans with approximately 65 percent of US adults reporting they consume at least one sugar.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute found daily consumption was associated with higher risk of gastric cancer while artificially sweetened drinks showed no.Findings were published in Gastro Hep Advances examining data from 112284 participants in Nurses Health Study and Health Professionals Follow Up Study over several. During that period 278 participants developed gastric cancer, allowing researchers to investigate link between sugar-sweetened beverages and gastric cancer risk comprehensively safely effectively.
Background: What We Knew About Sugary Drinks and Cancer
Sugar sweetened beverages have previously been associated with increased risks of colorectal breast and liver cancers but relationship with gastric cancer has been less.This is first study to demonstrate association between sugar sweetened beverage intake and gastric cancer in US population said senior author Andrew T Chan.
Gastric cancer is fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide but we have known very little about how diet might contribute to this cancer.
Key Findings: 2.45x and 3.04x Higher Risk
After adjusting for other possible risk factors researchers found people who drank at least one serving each day had 2 45 times higher risk.
Association appeared in both men and women greater overall fructose intake main sweetener in these drinks was also associated with higher incidence of gastric.
Among women in Nurses Health Study drinking more than one sugar sweetened beverage per day was associated with 3 04 fold higher risk compared.
By contrast greater consumption of artificially sweetened beverages was not associated with higher gastric cancer incidence after researchers accounted for other factors significantly safely.
H. pylori Check: Independent of Infection
Because infection with Helicobacter pylori H pylori is known risk factor for gastric cancer researchers also examined H pylori status among subset of 940.
Slightly more than one third showed evidence of infection but sugar sweetened beverage consumption was not associated with H pylori infection suggesting independent mechanism.
Q&A Section
Q1: How Common and What Drinks Counted?
A: Approximately 65 percent US adults report at least one sugar sweetened beverage daily sugar sweetened included carbonated drinks punch lemonade sports drinks artificially sweetened.
Q2: Why Is This Study Important?
A: First US population study showing sugar sweetened beverage gastric cancer association gastric cancer fifth leading cause death worldwide previously little known about diet contribution.
FAQ Section
What Is Link to Gastric Cancer?
Daily at least one serving linked to 2 45 times higher gastric cancer risk versus less than one per month women more than one.
Do Diet Drinks Also Increase Risk?
Artificially sweetened low calorie carbonated drinks showed no association with higher gastric cancer incidence after accounting for other factors unlike sugar sweetened beverages.
Is H. pylori Responsible?
Among 940 participants slightly more than one third had H pylori evidence but sugar sweetened beverage consumption was not associated with infection suggesting independent.
Does It Prove Cause?
Study observational cannot establish cause limited H pylori and family history data predominantly white participants large decades long data allowed adjusting many risk factors.
Disclaimer: This article provides general health information for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations safely effectively globally. Always consult qualified healthcare provider, physician, or gastroenterologist before making significant dietary changes especially with gastric cancer risk factors family history H pylori infection.
