Could Sugary Drinks Affect Stomach Cancer Risk?
Key Takeaways:
- A recent study found that people who consumed sugary drinks at least once a day had more than twice the risk of developing stomach cancer compared with people who rarely consumed them
- Researchers analyzed data from more than 112,000 participants and identified 278 cases of stomach cancer over the years
- Experts say factors such as obesity, high blood sugar and inflammation may play a role in cancer development
Sugary drinks are often associated with health concerns such as weight gain, tooth decay and problems with blood sugar. New research is now examining whether these beverages may also be associated with a greater risk of stomach cancer.
The Mass General Brigham study examined whether drinking sugary or artificially sweetened beverages was linked to stomach cancer among 112,284 participants from two large U.S. studies: the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. These long-term, Harvard-led studies examined how diet and lifestyle habits among healthcare workers may relate to chronic diseases.
For this study, specifically looking for a link to stomach cancer, researchers classified sugary drinks as sodas, fruit punch, lemonade and sports drinks. Artificially sweetened drinks included low-calorie sodas. Researchers looked at how often participants consumed these beverages, ranging from less than once a month to more than once a day.
After decades, researchers identified 278 cases of stomach cancer. People who drank at least one sugary drink a day had more than twice the risk of developing stomach cancer compared with those who drank sugary beverages less than once a month.
Why Might Sugary Drinks Be Linked to Cancer Risk?
According to Allan Lima Pereira, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist in Moffitt Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Oncology Department, research on the connection between sugar-sweetened beverages and stomach cancer is still developing, but several biological and lifestyle factors could potentially be involved:
- Weight and obesity: Regularly consuming beverages high in added sugar can increase calorie intake and contribute to weight gain. Excess body weight has been associated with an increased risk of several cancers.
- Insulin and metabolism: Sugary drinks can cause rapid increases in blood glucose and insulin. Repeated metabolic changes over time may contribute to processes involved in abnormal cell growth.
- Inflammation: Excess sugar consumption and related metabolic problems may promote chronic inflammation, which has been linked to cancer development.
- Fructose: Many sugar-sweetened beverages contain significant amounts of fructose. Researchers are interested in whether fructose-related metabolic and inflammatory processes could contribute to cancer development. The study also found an association between greater fructose intake and stomach cancer.
- Gut microbiome: Diet can influence the microorganisms living in the digestive tract. Researchers have proposed that changes in the gut microbiome and resulting inflammation could be one possible pathway connecting diet with cancer risk.
Recognizing Symptoms
Stomach cancer symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating after eating, heartburn and indigestion. Pereira says people experiencing unusual or persistent symptoms should seek medical attention.
“An upper endoscopy is the definitive way stomach cancer is found,” Pereira said. “The most impactful preventive step for most people when it comes to stomach cancer is testing for and eradicating H. pylori, a bacterium that attacks your stomach lining.”
Healthy Habits That May Lower Your Risk
Sylvia Crowder, PhD
Sylvia Crowder, PhD, a dietary and nutrition expert in Moffitt’s Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, says diet and lifestyle choices can also contribute to overall cancer prevention.
Crowder recommends:
- Avoid smoking or quit smoking. Smoking is an established risk factor for stomach cancer.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Keeping a healthy weight may help reduce the risk of several cancers, including some stomach cancers.
- Cut back on sugary drinks and highly processed foods. Choosing water or other unsweetened beverages more often can reduce added sugar intake.
- Choose a varied, nutrient-rich diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes can be part of a healthy eating pattern. Limiting heavily salted or preserved foods, processed meats and large amounts of red meat may also be beneficial.
- Limit alcohol. Alcohol consumption is associated with several cancer risks, particularly with heavier use.
- Stay physically active. Regular exercise can support overall health and help with maintaining a healthy weight.
Pereira and Crowder emphasize that while the recent study adds to ongoing research into how dietary habits may influence stomach cancer risk, additional research is needed to determine whether there is a direct relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and stomach cancer.
Medically reviewed by Allan Lima Pereira, MD, PhD, Gastrointestinal Oncology Program and Sylvia Crowder, PhD, Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior.
