People who drink at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day may face more than double the risk of developing stomach cancer, according to a new study reported by Healthline. The findings were published August 17 in the journal Gastro Hep Advances.
Researchers examined health data from more than 112,000 people enrolled in large studies beginning in 1976 and 1986. Participants were followed for many years and asked about their diet and lifestyle. Those who consumed at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily, including carbonated drinks, punch, lemonade, and sports drinks, had a 2.45 times higher risk of developing stomach cancer compared to those who drank less than one serving a month.
Artificially sweetened beverages, such as low-calorie carbonated drinks, were not associated with higher stomach cancer risk.
The senior study author is Andrew T. Chan, MD, MPH, a gastroenterologist and epidemiologist with the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. He noted that the research grew from a body of existing evidence. "We already had strong evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages to a higher risk of colorectal, breast, and liver cancers," Chan said. "Given how almost 65% of U.S. adults consume at least one of these beverages a day, it seemed important to ask whether that same relationship might extend to stomach cancer."
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is the fifth most common cancer globally. It is often caught late, when options for treatment are limited. There is no standard screening program for stomach cancer in the United States, which makes prevention through lifestyle changes particularly important.
Chan pointed to the practical weight of the findings. "Stomach cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are limited," he said. "Unlike some cancers with established screening programs, there isn't a standard screening test for stomach cancer in the U.S. Thus, prevention of stomach cancer through modifying risk factors such as diet is critical."
He also noted what the findings could mean for people making daily choices. "Most people who drink sugary beverages could choose to cut back or substitute something else," Chan said. "If this association holds up in future research, it means there may be a meaningful, actionable way for people to lower their risk of a cancer that is often diagnosed late and is difficult to treat. It's also a reminder that diet's influence on cancer risk isn't limited to the cancers we usually think of, like colorectal cancer."
The researchers noted that past studies have shown certain lifestyle choices can reduce stomach cancer risk, including adopting a healthy and balanced diet and limiting processed foods, sugary soft drinks, energy drinks, and commercial juices. The new study adds stomach cancer to a growing list of cancers researchers have connected to regular sugary drink consumption. The phase of research is ongoing, and the authors say future studies will be needed to confirm whether the association holds across different populations.
